DFW R.I and successor aircraft

The DFW R.I was one of the first developed oversized long-distance bombers, which should replace the obsolete Zeppelins for strategic bombardments. Except for the R.I, however, none of the bombers was used.

 

Development and construction:

After the German army command had to stop the attacks with zeppelins and requested from the German aircraft manufacturers bombers as their replacement, the company began Deutsche Flugzeug Werke with the development of a heavy bomber.

As with most of the other bombers, the DFW R.I engines were also installed in the fuselage to carry out maintenance and repair work during the flight. Only the propellers were mounted between the wings, two working as a train and two as a pressure propeller.

On October 19, 1916, the prototype of the DFW R.I was presented. After this was rejected by the army command, still some changes and adjustments had to be made. Only in early 1917, the aircraft was removed. In addition to this one aircraft, however, the Army Command waived further R.I types, but commissioned the company with the development of a successor model.

 

The DFW R.II was then developed in mid-1917 and built the prototype. On 17 September 1917, the first flight took place. After the successful demonstration, a total of six pieces were ordered from this aircraft.

 

 

 

Towards the end of the First World War was still working on a DFW R.III, which should have eight instead of the usual four engines and thus could carry a bomb load of a total of 2500 kg. However, this project could not be completed because of the surrender.

 

 

 

 

Use in the First World War:

The DFW R.I was relocated after its acceptance to the Eastern Front and flew near Mitau (southwest of Riga) deployments against the Russian army. On the return flight from the second mission, two of the four engines failed and the aircraft had to land in emergency, but it was completely destroyed.

Although the DFW R.II were taken from the army command, but since the aircraft were not suitable for the front, these were used only for educational purposes in the home.

Due to the surrender, the R.III could not be completed. Although there were plans to convert the aircraft after the war in a passenger plane, but because of the provisions of the Versailles Treaty, it had to be destroyed.

 

 

 

Technical specifications:

Designation:	DFW R.I
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Bomber
Length:	17,6 meters
Span:	30,5 meters
Height:	6 meters
Mass:	6800 kg empty
Crew:	Max. 6
Engine:	four water-cooled eight-cylinder in-line engines Mercedes D IV with each 220 hp
Maximum speed:	120 km/h
Reach:	720 kilometers
Armament:	3 x 7,92 mm Parabellum LMG 08/15 machine guns and up to 2000 kg bombs

 

 

 

Designation:	DFW R.II
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Bomber
Length:	20,93 meters
Span:	35,06 meters
Height:	6,4 meters
Mass:	8635 kg empty
Crew:	Max. 6
Engine:	four water-cooled six-cylinder in-line engines Mercedes D IVa with each 260 hp
Maximum speed:	135 km/h
Reach:	800 kilometers
Armament:	4 x 7,92 mm Parabellum LMG 08/15 machine guns and up to 2000 kg bombs

 

 

 

 

 

You can find the right literature here:

 

Fokker Dr I Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

Undoubtedly the most famous fighter type to see service on either side during World War 1, the Fokker Dr I was a revelation when it entered service on the western front in 1917. Manfred von Richthofen’s JG 1 ‘circus’ was the first Jasta to completely re-equip with the new fighter, and in the skilled hands of its numerous aces the Dr I proved a formidable opponent. The Dr I remained in service on the Western Front until replaced by the superior Fokker D VII in May 1918. Just weeks prior to that, however, Germany’s leading ace, the great ‘Red Baron’, had been killed at the controls of a Dr I.

Click here!

 

 

Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes (Great War Aviation) (Volume 21)

This book describes and illustrates the development of Friedrichshafen aircraft of WWI with text, 540 photos, 18 in color, 37 color profiles, production quantities and serial numbers of aircraft, and aircraft dimensions and performance specifications. In addition, there are 26 official SVK drawings and 11 aircraft are illustrated in scale drawings to 1/48 (4) or 1/72 (7) scales. The book has 312 pages and is of interest to aviation historians, enthusiasts, and modelers alike.

Click here!

 

 

German and Austro-Hungarian Aircraft Manufacturers 1908-1918

Much has been written about the British aircraft of the First World War, but little has surfaced about the aircraft of the Axis powers, Germany and Austria. Here, Terry C. Treadwell tells the story of the aircraft from companies such as Fokker, builder of the famous triplane, as fl own by Baron von Richthofen's Flying Circus, AEG, Albatros, Junkers and Hansa. From reconnaissance aircraft to state-of-the-art bombers that could reach London, this is the definitive guide to aircraft of the Axis powers during the First World War. The aircraft are explained in detail and a history of each company is provided, making this an excellent source book for aircraft enthusiasts, model makers and those interested in the air war over the trenches of France and Belgium, as well as further afield in the Italian campaign.

Click here!

 

 

The Zeppelin in Combat: A History of the German Naval Airship Division

The standard reference now revised and expanded. Dr. Robinson has opened up his vast photo archives to enhance this new edition of his classic work. Much of the new photographic material is published here for the first time.

Click here!

 

 

 

 

 

This post is also available in: Deutsch (German) Français (French) Italiano (Italian) 简体中文 (Chinese (Simplified)) Русский (Russian) Español (Spanish) العربية (Arabic)