Gotha G.III

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Gotha G.III
Type Bomber
Manufacturer Gothaer Waggonfabrik AG
Designed by Hans Burkhard
Maiden flight 1916
Primary user Luftstreitkräfte
Produced 1916
Number built 25

The Gotha G.III was a heavy bomber used by the Luftstreitkräfte (Imperial German Air Service) during the First World War. It succeeded the Gotha G.II in production and differed primarily in the choice of powerplant. The eight-cylinder Mercedes D.IV, which had proven highly susceptible to crankshaft failure, was replaced by the new six-cylinder 260 hp Mercedes D.IVa engine. The G.III also featured a reinforced fuselage with an extra machine gun firing through a ventral trapdoor.

Most of the 25 G.III aircraft produced were delivered to Kagohl 1, operating in the Balkans out of Hudova. Combat service of the G.III was limited but effective. Its most notable accomplishment came in September 1916, when a formation of G.III aircraft destroyed the railway bridge over the Danube River at Chernavoda, Romania. It also saw use by Kagohl 2 on the Western Front, operating from Freiburg. Following the delivery of the G.IIIs to this unit, its commander complained to Berlin about the performance of the aircraft, not because they were too slow, but because they was outrunning their escort fighters. In September 1917, all surviving aircraft were withdrawn from combat and relegated to training units.

[edit] Operators

Flag of German Empire German Empire

[edit] Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: Three
  • Length: 12.2 m (40 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 23.7 m (77 ft 9 in)
  • Height: 3.9 m (12 ft 10 in)
  • Wing area: 89.5 m² (563 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 2,383 kg (5,253 lb)
  • Gross weight: 3,618 kg (7,976 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Mercedes D.IVa, 193 kW (260 hp) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 135 km/h (83 mph)
  • Endurance: 3 hours  45 min

Armament

[edit] See also

Gotha Raids

Comparable aircraft

Related lists

[edit] References

  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 426. 
  • World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing, File 895 Sheet 08. 
  • Grosz, Peter M. (1966). The Gotha GI - GV. Leatherhead, Surrey: Profile Publications. 
  • Grosz, Peter M. (1994). Gotha!. Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire: Albatros Productions. 
v • d • e
Idflieg G-class aircraft designations

AEG: G.I • G.II • G.III • G.IV • G.V

Albatros: G.I • G.II • G.III • G.IV

Friedrichshafen: G.I • G.II • G.III • G.IV • G.V

Gotha: G.I • G.II • G.III • G.IV • G.V • G.VI • G.VII • G.VIII • G.IX • G.X

Halberstadt: G.I

LFG: G.I

LVG: G.I • G.II • G.III

Rumpler: G.I • G.II • G.III

Schütte-Lanz: G.I

Siemens-Schuckert: G.I • G.II • G.III
v • d • e
Aircraft produced by Gothaer Waggonfabrik

Company designations pre-1918
LD.1 • LD.2 • LD.3 • LD.4 • LD.5 • LD.6 • LD.7

LE.1 • LE.2 • LE.3

WD.1 • WD.2 • WD.3 • WD.4 • WD.5 • WD.7 • WD.8 • WD.9 • WD.11 • WD.12 • WD.13 • WD.14 • WD.15 • WD.20 • WD.22 • WD.27


Idflieg designations 1914-1918
G.I • G.II • G.III • G.IV • G.V • G.VI • G.VII • G.VIII • G.IX • G.X


Reichsluftfahrtministerium designations 1933-1945
Go 145 • Go 146 • Go 147 • Go 149 • Go 150 • Go 229 • Go 241 • Go 242 • Go 244 • Go 345 • Ka 430
v • d • e
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