Gotha B types
{{short description|German reconnaissance/trainer aircraft}}
The Gotha B types of the Gothaer Waggonfabrik were two-seat reconnaissance/trainer aircraft of the German Air Force in the First World War.
Development
In 1914 Gotha developed a biplane with 120 hp inline engine, which received the factory designation LD.7 and was classified by IdfliegInspektion der Fliegertruppen as Gotha B.I.
The B.II (factory designation LD.10bei Nowarra, a.a.O. als LD1a oder GRD bezeichnet) differed significantly from the B.I: The wings were larger, the fuselage shorter and a rotary engine was installed. The B.II was similar to an earlier concept, the Gotha LD.1 two-seater, which was powered by a Gnôme rotary engine with 100 hp.
Operational history
18 B.Is were delivered and used until 1915 for reconnaissance, then as a trainer aircraft. The B.II, of which 10 were built, was also used as a trainer aircraft.
Specifications
| class="wikitable"
! !B.I !B.II |
| Year
|1915 |1916 |
| Type
|Reconnaissance/trainer aircraft |Trainer aircraft |
| Wingspan
|12.4m |14.5m |
| Length
|8.4m |7.25m |
| Height
|3m |3.45m |
| Wing area
|39.5m² |46m² |
| Empty weight
|725kg |525kg |
| Max. take off weight
|1,125kg |1,127kg |
| Engine
|Water-cooled 6-cylinder inline engine Mercedes D.II, 120 hp |Oberursel U.I rotary engine, 100 hp |
| Max. speed
|125 km/h |115 km/h |
| Service ceiling
|2,700m |N/A |
| Range
|530 km |N/A |
| Armament
|None |None |
| Crew
|2 |2 |
References
{{Reflist|refs=}}
= Bibliography =
- {{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}}
- Günter Kroschel, Helmut Stützer: Die deutschen Militärflugzeuge 1910 – 1918. Lohse-Eissing, Wilhelmshaven 1977.{{ISBN|3-920602-18-8}}
- {{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}}
- Heinz Nowarra: Die Entwicklung der Flugzeuge 1914 – 1918. Lehmanns, München 1959.
{{Gotha aircraft}}
{{Idflieg B-class designations}}