The Halberstadt Cl.II was a highly successful escort fighter and infantry support aircraft. Halberstadter Flugzeugwerke GmbH was initially established in 1912 as Deutsche Bristol Werke GmbH and built Bristol aircraft under license. After war broke out in August 1914 they changed their name to Halberstadter Flugzeugwerke GmbH and continued to build aircraft more suited to training until late 1915 when they introduced their successful Halberstadt D.1 single seat fighter. In November 1916 Halberstadt started work on 3 prototypes built to Idflieg’s new lightweight C class (C = armed two-seat) specifications incorporating many features from their single seat fighters.

The result was the sleek 160hp Daimler-Mercedes D.III powered Halberstadt Cl.II, the lower case “l” indicating leicht (light) weight, and the first prototype 9902/16 was completed in April 1917. After initial evaluation the single piece top wing was split into 3 parts, the fully enclosed engine cowling was reduced and the elevator balances were removed. Following successful type-testing in May 1917, an order was placed for 100 Halberstadt Cl.II and production aircraft began arriving at front line units from late July 1917 onwards. It was very well regarded for its good visibility, climb rate, maneuverability, stability and ease of internal communication afforded by the close nature of the pilot and gunner. Halberstadt Cl.II were initially tasked with escorting traditional two-seat C type reconnaissance and artillery spotting aircraft, often assigned to a specialised Schutzstaffel (Protection Squadron) which were renamed Schlachtstaffel (Battle Squadron) following their transition to infantry support in March 1918.

• 33cm x 22cm.
• 2 high quality cartograf decal sheets including fitted 5 colour lozenge and marking for 5 early production aircraft.
• 193 high quality injection moulded plastic parts including 14 exclusive to early production aircraft.
• 9 photo-etched metal detail parts.
• Optional 160-180-200hp engine & cowlings, radio, generator, propellers, armament and very early production rudder.
• Fine in scale rib tape detail.
• Full rigging diagrams.