Rumpler G types
| Rumpler G.III | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
|
|
| Type: | bomber |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
1915 |
| Commissioning: |
1915 |
| Production time: |
1915-1918 |
| Number of pieces: |
122 |
The Rumpler GI-III were long-range bombers of the German air force in the First World War .
development
The Rumpler company, better known for its very successful two-seater reconnaissance and training aircraft, produced a number of medium long-range bombers from 1915 to 1918, which were used by both the German air force and the Austro-Hungarian aviation troops .
The development of the large aircraft took place on the basis of the specification for a three-seater fighter aircraft ("Type III") by Idflieg with an engine power of 200 HP and a flight time of 6 hours. Since the power of the engines available in 1914 did not yet deliver the required performance, the designers had to develop twin-engine aircraft. The first aircraft of this type was the Rumpler 4A15, which, after minor modifications to the wings, was given the factory designation 5A15 and the military designation Rumpler GI . The double-decker, built conventionally from a wooden frame with canvas covering, had unstaggered wings and had two fully clad Benz Bz III engines with 150 hp each, which drove the pusher propellers. When tested, the machine showed good climbing ability and payload; it carried 10 people up to an altitude of 3,000 m and with 16 people on board still reached an altitude of almost 2,000 m. 4 aircraft were delivered, followed by the production of the successor model.
Under the factory designation 5A16, the more powerfully motorized Rumpler G.II appeared with partially clad 220 hp Benz Bz IV engines, which, in view of the growing threat from enemy fighters, received a second, rearward-looking MG as additional defensive armament. 24 pieces were delivered.
Finally the Rumpler G.III (factory designation 6G2) appeared with even more powerful 260 hp Mercedes D IVa engines. It also took over the shape of its predecessor, albeit heavily modified by a smaller tail unit, backward staggered wings with modified ailerons and motors suspended between the wings.
commitment
Little is known about the operational history of the Rumpler large aircraft, although the GI was one of the first large aircraft to ever reach the front in 1915. None of them got into the hands of the enemy, so there are no usable statements from the Allies either.
Little is known about the G.II either, from 1916 24 units were delivered to the units; she should u. a. together with some Albatros G.III have been used at Kagohl 1 in Macedonia .
In October 1917, 20 of the 90 Rumpler G.III aircraft delivered were in service as night bombers; they were not pulled from the front until around August 1918. However, due to structural weaknesses, the aircraft was less successful than the G.II.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Rumpler GI | Rumpler G.II | Rumpler G.III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction year: | 1915 | 1916 | 1916/17 |
| Purpose: | bomber | bomber | bomber |
| Length: | 11.80 m | 11.80 m | 12.00 m |
| Span: | 19.30 m | 19.30 m | 19.30 m |
| Height: | 4.00 m | 4.00 m | 4.50 m |
| Wing area: | 78.7 m² | 73.0 m² | |
| Empty weight: | 1,998 kg | 1,990 kg | 2,385 kg |
| Takeoff weight: | 2,938 kg | 2,990 kg | 3,620 kg |
| 2 water-cooled six-cylinder in- line engines : | Benz Bz III , 150 hp each | Benz Bz IV , each 220 hp | Mercedes D IVa , each 260 hp |
| Top speed: | 150 km / h in NN | 170 km / h in NN | 165 km / h |
| Climbing time at 1,000 m: | 9 min | 5 min | |
| Climbing time at 2,000 m: | 21 min | ||
| Climbing time at 3,000 m: | 22 min | ||
| Climbing time at 3,000 m: | 120 min | ||
| Climbing time at 5,000 m: | 70 min | ||
| Service ceiling: | 4,000 m | 5,000 m | |
| Range: | 600 km | 700 km | |
| Flight duration: | 4 h | ||
| Armament: | 1 MG, 200 kg bombs | 2 MG, 250 kg bombs | 2 MG, 250 kg bombs |
| Crew (pilot, observer, machine gunner): | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Performance comparison
| Comparative types, mid-1917 | country | crew | Motor power | Max. speed | Bomb load | MG | Summit height | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rumpler G.III |
.svg){kind=small} German Empire
|
3 | 2 * 260 hp | 165 km / h | 250 kg | 2 | 5,000 m | 700 km |
| AEG G.IV |
German Empire
|
3-4 | 2 * 260 hp | 160 km / h | 400 kg | 2-3 | 4,500 m | 700 km |
| Albatros G.III |
German Empire
|
3 | 2 * 220 hp | 150 km / h | 300 kg | 2 | 5,000 m | 600 km |
| Gotha G.IV |
German Empire
|
3-4 | 2 * 260 hp | 140 km / h | 500 kg | 2-3 | 5,000 m | 490 km |
| Friedrichshafen G.III |
German Empire
|
3-4 | 2 * 260 hp | 145 km / h | 800 kg | 2-4 | 4,500 m | 600 km |
| Hansa-Brandenburg GI |
 Austria-Hungary
|
3 | 2 * 160 hp | 143 km / h | ? kg | 2 | 4,000 m | 1,000 km |
| Létord LET 3 B.3 |
 France
|
3 | 2 * 200 hp | 157 km / h | approx. 500 kg | 2 | 4,270 m | 370 km |
| Caudron G.IV |
France
|
2 | 2 * 120 hp | 151 km / h | approx. 300 kg | 2 | 4,700 m | 275 km |
| Handley Page Type O / 100 |
 United Kingdom
|
4th | 2 * 250 hp | 137 km / h | 812.8 kg | 4-5 | 2,134 m | 725 km |
| Caproni approx 32 |
 Italy
|
4th | 3 * 100 hp | 116 km / h | 850 kg | 4th | 3,000 m | 450 km |
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 ).
- Günter Kroschel, Helmut Stützer: The German military aircraft 1910–1918 . Lohse-Eissing, Wilhelmshaven 1977, ISBN 3-920602-18-8 .
- Heinz Nowarra: The Development of Airplanes 1914–1918 . Lehmanns, Munich 1959.
Web links
- Historical b / w photography of Rumpler GIII , accessed on January 21, 2012.
- Description, color profile and technical data (accessed on January 21, 2012)
- Brief description (accessed on January 21, 2012)
- Aviation altimeters and altimeters , accessed January 21, 2012
Individual evidence
- ↑ Inspection of the air force
- ↑ there are contradicting statements; according to Kroschel, Günter; Stützer, Helmut: The German military aircraft 1910–18 , Wilhelmshaven 1977, only 6 aircraft were delivered, Jack Herris: Development of German Warplanes in WWI , 2012, ISBN 978-1-935881-08-7 , only 4 were produced
- ↑ cf. Jack Herris: Development of German Warplanes in WWI , 2012, ISBN 978-1-935881-08-7
- ↑ The Kagohl 1 (" Combat Squadron of the Supreme Army Command ") was deployed in 1916 with half of its six divisions on the Balkan front
- ↑ alternatively also Mercedes D III with 160 HP
- ↑ 7.92-mm Parabellum LMG 08/15
- ↑ 7.92-mm Parabellum LMG 08/15
- ↑ 7.92-mm Parabellum LMG 08/15
- ↑ cf. Heinz Nowarra: The Development of Aircraft 1914–1918, Munich 1959
- ↑ cf. Heinz Nowarra: The Development of Aircraft 1914–1918, Munich 1959
- ↑ cf. accessed on March 8, 2013
- ↑ cf. Heinz Nowarra: The Development of Aircraft 1914–1918, Munich 1959 and accessed on March 8, 2013 ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
