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Gotha G.IV

1916 WORLD WAR 1

Gotha G. IV History

The Gotha G. IV biplane heavy bomber series served with the Luftwaffe during World War I (1914-1918) and proved to be a key component of its air warfare initiatives. The G series is derived from the original G.1 in early 1915, produced by Gothaer Waggonfabrik in 20 units.

The G.II rolled out its own 11 examples in March 1916, while the G.III further improved the line in 1916, adding 25 examples - these ended their days as coaches from 1917.

The G.IV is an evolution of the G series, designed to further improve certain aspects of the bomber. The cloth skin construction method used in earlier forms gave way to the more modern plywood skinning method, and ailerons were added to the lower wing section for improved control. Perhaps the most notable modification is the addition of a tunnel to the fuselage to improve access between the knuckle gun location and the bottom of the rear of the aircraft - the rear gunner can now engage through this opening below the second 7.92mm gun can Mounted as a ventral weapon position.

This greatly improves the defensive range around the aircraft - especially in its more vulnerable areas.

The design of the G. IV is credited to Hans Burkhard.

The first flight of a large bomber was recorded in 1916. The aircraft retains much of the form and function of previous G-Series aircraft. It uses a multi-cabin isometric biplane wing arrangement with parallel struts. Its landing gear is fixed in flight and has several bicycle-style wheel elements. The pair of engines were kept outside the fuselage, freeing up the fuselage for crew positions, defensive machine gun positions and fuel.

The tail is on a typical single tail approach with the horizontal set low. The standard operator consists of three people. The aircraft typically carries two to three LMG-14 series 7.92mm Parabellum machine guns, which can carry up to 1,100 pound throwing artillery.

Power is provided by a pair of Mercedes D. IVa engines, each producing 260 horsepower. Performance includes a top speed of 85 mph, a service ceiling of up to 16,400 feet, and a mission duration window of approximately 6 hours.

The original purchase order for the Luftwaffe was for 35 of these large aircraft, but this was later increased to 50 due to continued strategic bombing needs. Production began in 1916 and ended in 1917, with a total of 230 examples completed. Other companies such as LVG and Siemens-Schuckert-Werke also started production.

The Model G. IV entered service in March 1917, and the platforms generally worked well. Germany's war ally Austria-Hungary also took over the stock of this type (about 30 units) and used it with local engines and machine guns.

The Gotha bombers were particularly useful in long-range raids on London itself to weaken British support at home - initially carried out by high-flying, slow-moving zeppelins until their weaknesses were exposed.

However, Germany's fortunes in the war finally changed, with a formal armistice in November 1918 and Germany's defeat. The G. IV in service was immediately scrapped and taken over to deprive the German Empire of any future war capability. At least one example was adopted and put into local service by the Polish Air Force, and it had a short lifespan that lasted until the mid-1920s.

This example was used in Poland's war against the Soviet Union (1919-1921).

The Dutch became the only other notable operator, an aircraft that was captured after it crashed in August 1917. Although repaired, the plane crashed (again) during a test flight and was written off after the war.