Rumpler G.I and successor aircraft

The Rumpler G.I and its successor models were German long-range bombers, which were built by Rumpler Flugzeugwerke GmbH for both the German army and for the Austro-Hungarian army.

 

Development and construction:

The company Rumpler Flugzeugwerke GmbH built reconnaissance aircraft for the German army before the First World War. The best known aircraft was the Rumpler pigeon. At the end of 1914, when the German army command requested a bomber to replace the outdated zeppelins, the company's designers also began work.

The first prototype appeared in early 1915 under the name Rumpler 4A15. Since the properties of the aircraft did not meet the requirements yet, this was further developed and presented under the name Rumpler 5A15. Installed were two Benz Bz III engines with 150 hp each, because at this time there were no sufficiently powerful engines. After the successful demonstration and tests, four aircraft were ordered.

 

With the Rumpler G.II the stronger Benz Bz IV with 220 HP each could be installed. In contrast to the G.I this time a second machine gun was installed, with which the shooter could fire backwards and thus could fend off attacks of enemy fighter pilots.

 

The Rumpler G.III was also based on the predecessor models. Only a smaller Heckleitwerk, rear staggered wings with modified ailerons and hanging between the wings of the engine visually distinguished the aircraft from the other. The two built Mercedes D IVa provided with 260 hp each for a further increase in performance, to the stability of the G.II the aircraft did not approach however.

 

 

 

Use in the First World War:

From 1915, the Rumpler G.I was used on the Western Front. Due to the small number of pieces and the rapid replacement by the Rumpler G.II these bombers came to no significant use.

Of the Rumpler G.II were also built only a few aircraft with 24 pieces. Very little is known about operations on the Western Front, predominantly these bombers were used in the Balkans.

The Rumpler G.III was used from October 1917. Of the 90 aircraft delivered, 20 were used as night bombers. The bombers were in use until August 1918 and were subsequently withdrawn.

 

 

 

Technical specifications:

Designation:	Rumpler G.I
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Bomber
Length:	11,8 meters
Span:	19,3 meters
Height:	4 meters
Mass:	1998 kg empty
Crew:	Max. 3
Engine:	two water-cooled 6-cylinder inline engines Benz Bz III with each 150 hp
Maximum speed:	150 km/h
Reach:	600 kilometers
Armament:	1 x 7,92 mm Parabellum LMG 08/15 machine gun and up to 200 kg bombs

 

 

 

 

Designation:	Rumpler G.II
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Bomber
Length:	11,8 meters
Span:	19,3 meters
Height:	4 meters
Mass:	1990 kg empty
Crew:	Max. 3
Engine:	two water-cooled 6-cylinder in-line engines Benz Bz IV with each 220 hp
Maximum speed:	170 km/h
Reach:	650 kilometers
Armament:	2 x 7,92 mm Parabellum LMG 08/15 machine guns and up to 250 kg bombs

 

 

 

 

 

Designation:	Rumpler G.III
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Bomber
Length:	12 meters
Span:	19,3 meters
Height:	4,5 meters
Mass:	2385 kg empty
Crew:	Max. 3
Engine:	two water-cooled 6-cylinder inline engines Mercedes D IVa with each 260 hp
Maximum speed:	165 km/h
Reach:	700 kilometers
Armament:	2 x 7,92-mm Parabellum LMG 08/15 machine guns and up to 250 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!

 

 

 

 

 

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