https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotha_G.V
Air Service) during World War I. Designed for long-range service, the Gotha G.V
was used principally as a night bomber.
Operational use of the 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 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. 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.
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.
Role
Heavy Bomber
National origin
German Empire
Manufacturer
Gothaer Waggonfabrik AG
Designer
Hans Burkhard
First flight
1917
Introduction
August 1917
Primary user
Produced
Number built
205
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.
Specifications (Gotha G.V)
General characteristics
Crew: 3
Length: 12.42 m (40 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 23.70 m (77 ft 9 in)
Height: 4.5 m (14 ft)
Empty weight: 2,739 kg (6,039 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 3,967 kg (8,745 lb)
Performance
Maximum speed: 140 km/h (87 mph)
Range: 840 km (522 miles)
Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,325 ft)
Armament
bombs
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