Gotha G.V: Difference between revisions
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{{More citations needed|date=April 2019}}{{short description|Heavy bomber aircraft}} |
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{|{{Infobox aircraft begin |
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|name = Gotha G.V |
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| name = Gotha G.V |
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|image = File:GothaG5.jpg |
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| image = File:GothaG5.jpg |
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|caption = |
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}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type |
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}}{{Infobox aircraft type |
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|type = Heavy Bomber |
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|national origin = [[German Empire]] |
| type = Heavy bomber |
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| national origin = [[German Empire]] |
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| manufacturer = [[Gothaer Waggonfabrik]] AG |
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| designer = Hans Burkhard |
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| first flight = 1917 |
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| introduced = August 1917 |
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| retired = |
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| status = |
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| primary user = [[Luftstreitkräfte]] |
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| more users = |
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| produced = 1917–1918 |
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| number built = 205 |
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| unit cost = |
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| variants with their own articles = |
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}} |
}} |
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[[File:Gotha Bomber Internal Arrangement.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Internal fuselage arrangement of Burkhard's G.II through G.IV bomber designs. In G.Vs the Gotha Tunnel was expanded, the bomb bay and the gangway were replaced with a fuel tank]] |
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[[File:Gotha Bomber Internal Arrangement.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Internal fuselage arrangement of Burkhard's G.II through G.IV bomber designs. In G.Vs the ''Gotha tunnel'' was expanded, the bomb bay and the gangway were replaced with a fuel tank.]] |
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The '''Gotha G.V''' was a [[heavy bomber]] used by the ''[[Luftstreitkräfte]]'' (Imperial German Air Service) during [[World War I]]. Designed for long-range service, the Gotha G.V was used principally as a [[night bomber]]. |
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[[File:Wrecked_GOTHA_LCCN2014719484.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Allied forces servicemen inspecting a wrecked "Gotha" bomber, 1917 or 1918]] |
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The '''Gotha G.V''' was a [[heavy bomber]] used by the ''[[Luftstreitkräfte]]'' (Imperial German Air Service) during [[World War I]]. Designed for long-range service and built by Gothaer Waggonfabrik AG, the Gotha G.V was used principally as a [[night bomber]]. |
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==Development== |
== Development == |
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Operational use of the [[Gotha G.IV|G.IV]] demonstrated that the incorporation of the fuel tanks into the engine [[nacelle]]s was a mistake. In a crash landing the tanks could rupture and spill fuel onto the hot engines. This posed a serious problem because landing accidents caused 75% of operational losses. In response Gothaer produced the G.V, which housed its fuel tanks inside the fuselage. The smaller engine nacelles were mounted on struts above the lower wing. |
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Operational use of the [[Gotha G.IV]] demonstrated that the incorporation of the fuel tanks into the engine [[nacelle]]s was a mistake. In a crash landing the tanks could rupture and spill fuel onto the hot engines. This posed a serious problem because landing accidents caused 75% of operational losses. In response Gothaer produced the G.V, which housed its fuel tanks inside the fuselage. The smaller engine nacelles were mounted on struts above the lower wing. |
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The Gotha G.V pilot seat was offset to port with the fuel tanks immediately behind. This blocked the connecting walkway that previously on earlier machines allowed crew members to move between the three gun stations. All bombs were carried externally in this model. The Gotha included an important innovation in the form of a "gun tunnel" whereby the underside of the rear fuselage was arched, early versions allowing placement of a rearward-facing machine gun protecting from attack from below, removing the blind spot.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Big German Battleplane Splendidly Designed|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=qNoDAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA111&dq=%22popular+mechanics%22+1918#PPA513,M1|work= |publisher= Popular Mechanics|date= October 1917|accessdate=10 February 2009 }}</ref> Later versions expanded the tunnel to remove the lower gun, providing a slot in the upper fuselage that allowed the rear gunner to remain stationary. |
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The Gotha G.V pilot seat was offset to port, with the fuel tanks immediately behind. This blocked the connecting walkway that previously on earlier machines allowed crew members to move between the three gun stations. All bombs were carried externally in this model. |
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The base variant of G.V offered no performance improvement over the [[Gotha G.IV|G.IV]]. The G.V was up to 450 kg (990 lb) heavier than the G.IV due to additional equipment and the use of insufficiently seasoned timber. The [[Mercedes D.IVa]] engines could not produce the rated 190 kW (260 hp) due to inferior quality of fuel. |
The base variant of G.V offered no performance improvement over the [[Gotha G.IV|G.IV]]. The G.V was up to 450 kg (990 lb) heavier than the G.IV due to additional equipment and the use of insufficiently seasoned timber. The [[Mercedes D.IVa]] engines could not produce the rated 190 kW (260 hp) due to inferior quality of fuel. |
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===Gotha tunnel=== |
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The Gotha included an important innovation in the form of a "gun tunnel", whereby the underside of the rear fuselage was arched, early versions allowing placement of a rearward-facing machine gun, protecting against attack from below, removing the blind spot.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Big German Battleplane Splendidly Designed |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=October 1917 |page=513 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qNoDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA513 |accessdate=10 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Gotha Gun Tunnel |magazine=The Aeroplane |date=18 July 1917 |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages=154, 156 |url=http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.c2603521&seq=130 |accessdate=28 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=The New Gun-Tunnel Airplane |magazine=Popular Science Monthly |date=November 1917 |volume=91 |issue=5 |pages=709–710 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oCkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA709 |accessdate=28 July 2021}}</ref> Later versions expanded the tunnel to remove the lower gun, providing a slot in the upper fuselage that allowed the rear gunner to remain stationary. |
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==Operational history== |
==Operational history== |
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The G.V entered service in August 1917. For the performance reasons aforementioned, it generally could not operate at altitudes as high as the G.IV. |
The G.V entered service in August 1917. For the performance reasons aforementioned, it generally could not operate at altitudes as high as the G.IV. |
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[[File:216 1 un gotha à terre.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Gotha crash 23 December 1917.]] |
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==Variants== |
==Variants== |
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===G.Va=== |
===G.Va=== |
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In February 1918, Gothaer tested a [[Empennage|compound tail unit]] with biplane [[horizontal stabilizer]]s and twin [[rudder]]s. The new tail unit, known as the ''Kastensteuerung'', improved the aircraft's marginal directional control on one engine. The resulting G.Va subvariant incorporated the new tail as well as a slightly shorter forward fuselage with an auxiliary nose landing gear. All 25 G.Va aircraft were delivered to ''Bogohl'' 3, the new designation for the former ''Kagohl'' 3. |
In February 1918, Gothaer tested a [[Empennage|compound tail unit]] with biplane [[Tailplane|horizontal stabilizer]]s and twin [[rudder]]s. The new tail unit, known as the ''Kastensteuerung'', improved the aircraft's marginal directional control on one engine. The resulting G.Va subvariant incorporated the new tail, as well as a slightly shorter forward fuselage with an auxiliary nose landing gear. All 25 G.Va aircraft were delivered to ''Bogohl'' 3, the new designation for the former ''Kagohl'' 3. |
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===G.Vb=== |
===G.Vb=== |
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Carried an increased payload |
Carried an increased payload compared to the earlier G.Va, and operated at a maximum takeoff weight of 4,550 kg (10,030 lb). To reduce the danger of flipping over during landing, Gothaer introduced the ''Stossfahrgestell'' ("shock landing gear"), a tandem two-bogie main landing gear. The ''Stossfahrgestell'' proved so good that it was fitted to all G.Vs in ''Bogohl'' 3. Some G.Vb aircraft also had Flettner [[servo tab]]s on the [[aileron]]s to reduce control forces. |
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''[[Idflieg]]'' ordered 80 G.Vb aircraft, the first being delivered to ''Bogohl'' 3 in June 1918. By the [[Armistice |
''[[Idflieg]]'' ordered 80 G.Vb aircraft, the first being delivered to [[Bogohl 3|''Bogohl'' 3]] in June 1918. By the [[Armistice of 11 November 1918|Armistice]], all 80 aircraft were built but the last batch did not reach the front and was delivered direct to the Allied special commission. |
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==Operators== |
==Operators== |
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==Specifications (Gotha G.V)== |
==Specifications (Gotha G.V)== |
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{{Aircraft |
{{Aircraft specs |
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|ref=Die Deutschen Militärflugzeuge 1910-1918<ref name=Stutzer>{{cite book |last1=Stutzer |first1=Kroschel |title=Die Deutschen Militärflugzeuge 1910-1918 : mit 143 Vierseitenrissen im Massstab 1:144 |date=1994 |publisher=Weltbild |location=Augsburg |isbn=9783893506934 |pages=43, 84, 150 |edition=Lizenzausg |language=de}}</ref> |
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|crew=3 |
|crew=3 (sometimes 4) |
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|capacity= |
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|length main=12.42 m |
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|length |
|length m=12.36 |
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|length note= |
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|span main=23.70 m |
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|span m=23.7 |
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|height main=4.5 m |
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|height |
|height m=4.3 |
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|height note= |
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|area main=89.5 m² |
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|area |
|wing area sqm=89.5 |
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|wing area note= |
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|empty weight main=2,739 kg |
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|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes --> |
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|empty weight alt=6,039 lb |
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|airfoil=<!--'''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>--> |
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|max takeoff weight main=3,967 kg |
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|empty weight kg=2740 |
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|empty weight note= |
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|gross weight kg=3975 |
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|max takeoff weight kg= |
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|fuel capacity= |
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|lift kg= |
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|engine (prop)=[[Mercedes D.IVa]] |
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|number of props=2 |
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|eng1 number=2 |
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|power main=260 hp |
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|eng1 name=[[Mercedes D.IVa]] |
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|power alt=191 kW |
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|eng1 type=6-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston engines |
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|max speed main=140 km/h |
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|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines --> |
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|max speed alt=87 mph |
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|eng1 hp=260 |
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|range main=840 km |
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|range alt=522 miles |
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|prop blade number=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |
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|ceiling main=6,500 m |
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|prop name=wooden fixed-pitch pusher propellers |
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|ceiling alt=21,325 ft |
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|max speed kmh=140 |
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|never exceed speed kmh= |
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|minimum control speed kmh= |
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|range km=840 |
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|ferry range km= |
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|ceiling m=6500 |
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|g limits=<!-- aerobatic --> |
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|armament=2 or 3 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) [[Parabellum MG14]] machine guns, 14 x 25 kg (60 lb.) bombs |
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Armament |
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|guns= 2 or 3 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) [[Parabellum MG 14]] machine guns |
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|bombs= 14 × 25 kg (60 lb.) bombs |
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|rockets= |
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|missiles= |
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|hardpoints= |
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|hardpoint capacity= |
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|hardpoint rockets= |
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|hardpoint missiles= |
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|hardpoint bombs= |
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|hardpoint other= |
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|avionics= |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Aircontent |
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{{aircontent |
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|sequence= |
| sequence= |
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|similar aircraft= |
| similar aircraft= |
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*[[AEG G.III]], [[AEG G.IV]], [[AEG G.V]] |
*[[AEG G.III]], [[AEG G.IV]], [[AEG G.V]] |
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*[[Friedrichshafen G.II]], [[Friedrichshafen G.III]], [[Friedrichshafen G.IV]] |
*[[Friedrichshafen G.II]], [[Friedrichshafen G.III]], [[Friedrichshafen G.IV]] |
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*[[Handley Page Type O]] |
*[[Handley Page Type O]] |
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|lists= |
| lists= |
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* [[List of military aircraft of Germany]] |
* [[List of military aircraft of Germany]] |
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* [[List of bomber aircraft]] |
* [[List of bomber aircraft]] |
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|see also= |
| see also= |
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*[[German strategic bombing during World War I]] |
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*[[Gotha Raids]] |
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*[[Riesenflugzeug]]e, larger World War I bombers |
*[[Riesenflugzeug]]e, larger World War I bombers |
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*[[Sikorsky Ilya Muromets]] |
*[[Sikorsky Ilya Muromets]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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{{commons category|Gotha G.V}} |
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{{reflist}} |
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==Bibliography== |
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* The Complete Encyclopedia of Flight 1848-1939 by John Batchelor and Malcolm V. Lowe |
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{{Commons category|Gotha G.V}} |
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*{{cite journal |last1=Hallade|first1=Jean|title=Quand les Gothas bombardaient Paris...|journal=Le Fana de l'Aviation |date=December 1977 |issue=97 |pages=28–30 |issn=0757-4169 |language=fr |trans-title=When the Gothas Bombed Paris...}} |
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*{{cite book |last1=Herris |first1=Jack |title=Gotha Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes |date=2013 |publisher=Aeronaut Books |location=Charleston, South Carolina |isbn=978-1-935881-14-8|series=Great War Aviation Centennial Series|volume=6}} |
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*{{cite book |last1=Metzmacher |first1=Andreas |title=Gotha Aircraft 1913-1954: From the London Bomber to the Flying Wing Jet Fighter |date=2021 |publisher=Fonthill |location=Brimscombe, Stroud |isbn=978-1-78155-706-8}} |
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<!-- ==External links== --> |
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{{Gotha aircraft}} |
{{Gotha aircraft}} |
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{{World War I |
{{World War I aircraft of the Central Powers}} |
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{{Idflieg G-class designations}} |
{{Idflieg G, GL, K, L and N-class designations}} |
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[[Category:German bomber aircraft |
[[Category:1910s German bomber aircraft]] |
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[[Category:Gotha aircraft|G.V]] |
[[Category:Gotha aircraft|G.V]] |
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[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1917]] |
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Revision as of 12:11, 1 December 2023
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2019) |
| Gotha G.V | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Heavy bomber |
| National origin | German Empire |
| Manufacturer | Gothaer Waggonfabrik AG |
| Designer | Hans Burkhard |
| First flight | 1917 |
| Introduction | August 1917 |
| Primary user | Luftstreitkräfte |
| Produced | 1917–1918 |
| Number built | 205 |
The Gotha G.V was a heavy bomber used by the Luftstreitkräfte (Imperial German Air Service) during World War I. Designed for long-range service and built by Gothaer Waggonfabrik AG, the Gotha G.V was used principally as a night bomber.
Development
Operational use of the Gotha G.IV demonstrated that the incorporation of the fuel tanks into the engine nacelles was a mistake. In a crash landing the tanks could rupture and spill fuel onto the hot engines. This posed a serious problem because landing accidents caused 75% of operational losses. In response Gothaer produced the G.V, which housed its fuel tanks inside the fuselage. The smaller engine nacelles were mounted on struts above the lower wing.
The Gotha G.V pilot seat was offset to port, with the fuel tanks immediately behind. This blocked the connecting walkway that previously on earlier machines allowed crew members to move between the three gun stations. All bombs were carried externally in this model.
The base variant of G.V offered no performance improvement over the G.IV. The G.V was up to 450 kg (990 lb) heavier than the G.IV due to additional equipment and the use of insufficiently seasoned timber. The Mercedes D.IVa engines could not produce the rated 190 kW (260 hp) due to inferior quality of fuel.
Gotha tunnel
The Gotha included an important innovation in the form of a "gun tunnel", whereby the underside of the rear fuselage was arched, early versions allowing placement of a rearward-facing machine gun, protecting against attack from below, removing the blind spot.[1][2][3] Later versions expanded the tunnel to remove the lower gun, providing a slot in the upper fuselage that allowed the rear gunner to remain stationary.
Operational history
The G.V entered service in August 1917. For the performance reasons aforementioned, it generally could not operate at altitudes as high as the G.IV.
Variants
G.Va
In February 1918, Gothaer tested a compound tail unit with biplane horizontal stabilizers and twin rudders. The new tail unit, known as the Kastensteuerung, improved the aircraft's marginal directional control on one engine. The resulting G.Va subvariant incorporated the new tail, as well as a slightly shorter forward fuselage with an auxiliary nose landing gear. All 25 G.Va aircraft were delivered to Bogohl 3, the new designation for the former Kagohl 3.
G.Vb
Carried an increased payload compared to the earlier G.Va, and operated at a maximum takeoff weight of 4,550 kg (10,030 lb). To reduce the danger of flipping over during landing, Gothaer introduced the Stossfahrgestell ("shock landing gear"), a tandem two-bogie main landing gear. The Stossfahrgestell proved so good that it was fitted to all G.Vs in Bogohl 3. Some G.Vb aircraft also had Flettner servo tabs on the ailerons to reduce control forces.
Idflieg ordered 80 G.Vb aircraft, the first being delivered to Bogohl 3 in June 1918. By the Armistice, all 80 aircraft were built but the last batch did not reach the front and was delivered direct to the Allied special commission.
Operators
Specifications (Gotha G.V)
Data from Die Deutschen Militärflugzeuge 1910-1918[4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 3 (sometimes 4)
- Length: 12.36 m (40 ft 7 in)
- Wingspan: 23.7 m (77 ft 9 in)
- Height: 4.3 m (14 ft 1 in)
- Wing area: 89.5 m2 (963 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 2,740 kg (6,041 lb)
- Gross weight: 3,975 kg (8,763 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Mercedes D.IVa 6-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston engines, 190 kW (260 hp) each
- Propellers: wooden fixed-pitch pusher propellers
Performance
- Maximum speed: 140 km/h (87 mph, 76 kn)
- Range: 840 km (520 mi, 450 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,300 ft)
Armament
- Guns: 2 or 3 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) Parabellum MG 14 machine guns
- Bombs: 14 × 25 kg (60 lb.) bombs
See also
- German strategic bombing during World War I
- Riesenflugzeuge, larger World War I bombers
- Sikorsky Ilya Muromets
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- AEG G.III, AEG G.IV, AEG G.V
- Friedrichshafen G.II, Friedrichshafen G.III, Friedrichshafen G.IV
- Handley Page Type O
Related lists
References
- ^ "Big German Battleplane Splendidly Designed". Popular Mechanics. October 1917. p. 513. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
- ^ "The Gotha Gun Tunnel". The Aeroplane. Vol. 13, no. 3. 18 July 1917. pp. 154, 156. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ "The New Gun-Tunnel Airplane". Popular Science Monthly. Vol. 91, no. 5. November 1917. pp. 709–710. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ Stutzer, Kroschel (1994). Die Deutschen Militärflugzeuge 1910-1918 : mit 143 Vierseitenrissen im Massstab 1:144 (in German) (Lizenzausg ed.). Augsburg: Weltbild. pp. 43, 84, 150. ISBN 9783893506934.
Bibliography
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gotha G.V.
- Hallade, Jean (December 1977). "Quand les Gothas bombardaient Paris..." [When the Gothas Bombed Paris...]. Le Fana de l'Aviation (in French) (97): 28–30. ISSN 0757-4169.
- Herris, Jack (2013). Gotha Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes. Great War Aviation Centennial Series. Vol. 6. Charleston, South Carolina: Aeronaut Books. ISBN 978-1-935881-14-8.
- Metzmacher, Andreas (2021). Gotha Aircraft 1913-1954: From the London Bomber to the Flying Wing Jet Fighter. Brimscombe, Stroud: Fonthill. ISBN 978-1-78155-706-8.