The highly distinctive Hannover Cl.II was an excellent low level two-seat escort fighter and ground attack aircraft. Hannoversch Waggonfabrik AG (Hawa) manufactured railway carriages before branching out and building aircraft under license for Aviatik, Rumpler and Halberstadt. Hawa delivered their first license built aircraft in early 1916 but by the end of that year they had begun to design their own aircraft to Idflieg’s new lightweight C class (C = armed two-seat) specifications. The result was the Hannover Cl.II (the ‘l’ stands for leicht - lightweight) prototype which first flew in July 1917 with production aircraft reaching front line units the following month.

Powered by a 180hp Argus As.III engine, the new ‘battle plane’ was well received; it was strong, fast, light weight and in certain circumstances could outmaneuver allied fighters. The high position of the crew gave them an excellent field of vision unobstructed by the top wing, and the innovative biplane tailplane increased the observer’s field of fire rearwards. Depending on mission requirements the Hannover Cl.II could carry various models of camera and wireless equipment as well as small bombs.

• 37cm x 24cm.
• Relatively simple rigging.
• 3 high quality Cartograf decal sheets including fitted 4 & 5 colour lozenge and markings for 5 aircraft.
• 261 high quality injection moulded plastic parts.
• 16 photo-etched metal detail parts.
• Highly detailed 23 part Argus As.III engine with optional propellers.
• Optional wireless, flares, radiators, cameras, teddy bear and diorama accessories.
• Included one late production colour scheme for modellers uncomfortable with complicated lozenge camouflage finishes.
• Fine in scale rib tape detail.
• Full rigging diagrams.