HOME  Gotha G Bombers |
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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
Gotha G bombers were introduced by Germany as an improvement over Zeppelins
in speed and maneuverability. They had the ability to fly at
relatively high altitudes and at night.
The bombers were deployed on the Eastern Front starting in November of 1916. However, engine problems limited their use until more reliable engines were introduced in early 1917.
Estimates are that Germany had a total of 36 available for
missions at their peak of operations.
From May of 1917 through May of 1918 they attacked England some twenty two times and dropped some 166,000 lbs. of ordnance.
The first major raid on England was by some 21 aircraft and took place on May 25, 1917 over Kent. A total of 14 Gotha's attacked London for the first time on June 16, 1917 in a bold daylight raid.
These were relatively high level flights, taking place at altitudes of up to 16,000 feet. Defending fighter aircraft of the day had a difficult time intercepting the Gotha's at those altitudes. However, bomber ordnance loads had to be lessened in order to achieve those heights.
The effectiveness of the Gotha G bombers was greatly reduced when the fast climbing British SE5a interceptor was introduced in the latter part of 1917.
Approximately 60 Gotha G bombers were destroyed during this period, either from enemy fire, bad landings, or other accidents.
Unique to large aircraft of the time was a somewhat streamlined, narrow fuselage, with a plywood skin instead of the usual fabric covering.
Some aircraft were equipped with a rear machine gun that fired through an opening in the lower rear deck of the aircraft. This made it more difficult to attack from below and to the rear, formerly a blind spot, and a favorite position of fighter aircraft.
Gotha G bomber engines were placed close to the fuselage on the lower
wing. That enabled easier handling in case a single engine was disabled.
It became common practice for the bombers to fly in close formation. This enabled each aircraft to provided a defensive umbrella of covering machine gun fire for other aircraft in the formation.
A total of over 160 Gotha G bombers of all types were produced.
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Specifications
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Primary Function:
Crew:
Engines:
Power:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Machine Guns:
Ordnance:
Length:
Wingspan:
Cruise Speed:
Max. Speed:
Climb Rate:
Ceiling:
Range:
Year Deployed: |
heavy bomber
three
Mercedes D.IV
2 x 260 hp ea.
6,050 lbs.
10,000 lbs.
2 or 3 - 7.92 mm
1,100 lbs.
40' 9"
77' 9"
>75 mph
88 mph
400 fpm
16,000 feet
500 miles
1917 |
Radio Control Airplane
Gotha G RC Airplane.
Radio Control Airplanes:
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Pictured above and in the two photos below is the RC Gotha G from Arizona Model Aircrafters.
There are two rc Gotha G models available. One is 1/12 scale with a 84" wing span. The other is 1/6 scale with a 156" wing span. Both are from laser
cut kits and are for twin pusher electric power. The kits include guns and detailed cockpits.
Email us.
Radio Control Airplane
RC Gotha G flying low.
Radio Control Airplane
Arizona Model Aircrafters rc Gotha G.
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