German Bombers
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 The Allgemeine Elektrizitats Gesellschaft (A.E.G.) G.IV bomber went into general use with the German Air Force during 1917. Because of its relatively short range, the G.IV served mainly as a tactical bomber, and operated close to the front lines. The G.IV flew both day and night operations, but, as the war progressed, was restricted increasingly to night missions. A.E.G. units operated in France, Romania, Greece, and Italy. |
A.E.G. G-IV Date: 1917 Nationality: Germany Engines: 2x Daimler Mercedes D.IVa, 260 hp Wing Span: 18.4 m (60 ft 4 in) Length: 9.7 m(31 ft 10 in) Height: 3.9 m (12 ft 8 in) Weight, Empty: 2,488 kg (5,486 lb) Weight, Gross: 3,664 kg (8,079 lb) Cruising Speed: 145 km/h (90 mph) Max Speed: 165 km/h (103 mph) Rate of Climb: 1,000 m (3,280 ft)/5 min Service Ceiling: 4,500 m (14,760 ft) Range: 652 km (405 mi) Crew: 2 |
 The Gotha Bomber was produced in the autumn of 1916 when the limitations of the Zeppelin as a raider had become obvious. The German High Command ordered that 30 Gotha bombers were to be ready for a daylight raid on London on February 1st, 1917, but the machines were not ready until May. The first daylight raid on London was carried out by 14 Gothas on June 13th, 1917. On July 7th, 22 Gothas raided London. Night raids began in August of 1917 and continued until May 1918 when they were abandoned because of the increasingly heavy losses. At peak employment, in April 1918, 36 G.Vs were in service. |
Gotha G.V. Date: 1917 Nationality: Germany Manufactor: Gothaer Waggonfabrik AG Type: Heavy Bomber Wing Span: 77ft 9ins Length: 40ft 9ins Max Speed: 87.5 mph Ceiling 21,325 ft Range: 522 miles Endurance: 4 hours Max Load: 1,100 lb Norm Load: 660 lb Weight: 6,039 lb Weight: 8,745 lbs. Crew: 3 Armament: 1,102 lb of bombs, 3 machine guns |
 This aircraft was mainly used for night bombing raids on London. The plane had enclosed crew cabins and the engines could be worked on during flight. |
Zeppelin Staaken R.VI Date: 1917 Nationality: Germany Engine: Four 260 hp Mercedes DIVa 6 cylinder inlines Wingspan: 138ft 5in Weight: 25,269 lbs. Cruising Speed: 80 mph Range: 8 hours Ceiling: 12,467 ft Armament: 4,400 lb of bombs, up to 7 machine guns |
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Original material copyright © 7/8/99 W. Ira Boucher. All Rights Reserved. |
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