Gotha G.III
| Gotha G.III | |
|---|---|
 Gotha G.III |
|
| Type: | bomber |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
1916 |
| Commissioning: |
-1917 |
| Number of pieces: |
25th |
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The Gotha G.III was a long-range bomber of the German air force in the First World War .
development
At Gothaer Waggonfabrik, designer Hans Burkhard had already developed the Gotha G.II, a pioneering twin-engine large aircraft with a two- post structure and push propellers. The G.III retained essential design features, but got a more powerful engine through the six-cylinder Mercedes D IVa engine with 190 kW (260 hp) and a shaft behind the aviator in the reinforced fuselage of the machine, which allowed the machine to fire to the rear enabled below.
commitment
The first of the 25 G.III produced were delivered to the Kagohl 1, which fought on the Balkan front and was stationed in Hudova. In September 1916, the squadron with its G.III destroyed the important Danube railway bridge at Cernavodă in Romania . Kagohl 2, which operated from Freiburg im Breisgau on the western front, also received the G.III. However, the squadron leader complained about the high speed of the aircraft, which made it difficult for the escort aircraft to follow the squadron. The G.III remained in service until September 1917, when they were replaced by successor models such as the G.IV and handed over to training units.
Further developments
The G.III was followed by the Gotha G.IV and GV in 1917 .
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Gotha G.III |
|---|---|
| crew | 3 (pilot, observer, machine gunner) |
| length | 12.20 m |
| span | 23.70 m (above) |
| height | 3.90 m |
| Wing area | 89.5 m² |
| Empty mass | 2383 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 3618 kg |
| 2 water-cooled in- line engines | Mercedes D IVa , each 193 kW (260 PS) |
| Top speed | 135 km / h in NN |
| Ascent time to 3000 m | 28 min |
| Service ceiling | |
| Range | |
| Flight duration | 3:45 h |
| Armament | 500 kg bombs, 3 MG |
See also
literature
- Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi: The planes. From the beginning to the First World War . Falken-Verlag, Wiesbaden 1976, ISBN 3-8068-0391-9 , ( Falken manual in color ).
- Peter M. Grosz: The Gotha GI-GV Profile Publications, Leatherhead 1966, ( Profile Publications 115).
- Günter Kroschel, Helmut Stützer: The German military aircraft 1910–1918 . Lohse-Eissing, Wilhelmshaven 1977, ISBN 3-920602-18-8 .
- Kenneth Munson: Bomber. Surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. 1914-1919 . Füssli, Zurich 1968, ( Airplanes of the World ).
- Heinz Nowarra: The Development of Airplanes 1914–1918 . Lehmanns, Munich 1959.
