Caudron G.4

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Caudron G.4
Role Reconnaissance/Bomber
Manufacturer Caudron
Designer Gaston and Réne Caudron[1]
First flight March 1915 [2][1]
Introduction late spring 1915 [3] to Nov 1915[1]
Primary users France
U.K. (RNAS)
Italy
Russia
Belgium
Number built 1358+ [note 1]
Wingspan 16.9 m (55 ft 5 in)[4]-17.2 m (56 ft 4 in) [5][6]
Engine 2×80hp Le Rhône or Clerget rotaries or
2×80-100hp Anzani radials
Armament front flexible Hotchkiss, Colt, Browning, or Lewis
110 kg (250 lb) in bombs[5]
Crew 2
Max Speed 130 km/h (81 mph)[7][8][9][4] to 132 km/h (82 mph)[6][10]
Climb 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in 6:30
2,000 m (6,560 ft) in 14:00[10]-15:00[7][9]-17:00[5]
3,000 m (9,800 ft) in 19:00[4]-33:00[5]
4,000 m (13,100 ft) in 36:00[4]
Ceiling 4,300 m (14,100 ft)[7][8][9][5][6] to 4,500 m (14,800 ft)[4]
Endurance 3:30[8][5][6] to 4:00[4] to 5:00[7][9][10]

The single-engine tractor Caudron G.3 was used extensively in the early war, but French designers were challenged to come up with a plane that had better power and could mount a forward-firing machine gun. Mounting twin engines and a central nacelle with a forward gunner was a natural solution, and it provided superb visibility to the observer as well: thus was born the Caudron G.4. Though they looked fragile, the G.4's were sturdy and they could be flown reliably even with one engine out.

The G.4A2 carried a wireless set for artillery cooperation; the G.4B2 carried 220kg of bombs. There were also dual-control trainers (E2) and armored ground-attack versions (IB) as well as a seaplane version.[3] Several French aces flew the G.4 early in their career, including Fonck, Dorme, and Chaput.

The RNAS imported 43 and built twelve in Britain, with missions beginning in March 1916. Italy built fifty-one under license in 1916-1917, and they saw first use in late 1916. The improved power provided by twin engines gave better performance on Italian missions.[4] Russia and Romania purchased forty and forty-four respectively.

For more information, see Wikipedia:Caudron G.4.

Timeline [note 2] [note 3]

Game Data

Wings of Glory

Unofficial Stats
Availability Maneuver Damage Dmg Points Max Alt. Climb
15Q4-17Q1 XC B 15 10 5
Card Links

Blue Max/Canvas Eagles

Aircraft Chart

Miniatures and Models

1:144 Scale

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

1:350 Scale

Resources

Orthographic Drawings

References

Notes
  1. ↑ 1358 were built by the Caudron company[2]. 51 were built in Italy by A.E.R. under license.[4]
  2. ↑ Plane counts are approximate and based of escadrille usage in Davilla'97.
  3. ↑ British usage numbers are approximate, derived from the squadron histories.[11]
  4. ↑ Updated card
Citations
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Angelucci, p.73.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Davilla'97, p.149.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Guttman, p.9.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Davilla Italian Vol.2, pp.188-189.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Lamberton, pp.216-218.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Angelucci, p.66.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Davilla'97, p.156.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Munson, p.68.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Guttman, p.35.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Ferry'14, p.52.
  11. ↑ Philpott'13, pp.379-444.
Bibliography
  • Enzo Angelucci, ed. The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft, 1914-1980. New York: The Military Press, 1983 edition. ISBN 0-517-41021-4.
  • Dr. James J. Davilla and Arthur M. Soltan. French Aircraft of the First World War. Flying Machines Press, 1997. ISBN 0-9637110-4-0.
  • James Davilla, MD, Italian Aviation in the First World War, Volume 2, Aircraft A-H. USA: Aeronaut Books, 2023. ISBN 978-1-953201-80-5
  • Vital Ferry. French Aviation During the First World War. Paris: Histoire and Collections, 2014. ISBN 978-2-35250-370-5
  • Jon Guttman, Windsock Datafile 96: Caudron G.4. Great Britain, Albatros Publications Ltd., 2002. ISBN 1-902207-51-3
  • W.M. Lamberton and E.F. Cheesman, Reconnaissance & Bomber Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Great Britain: Harleyford Publications Ltd., 1962. ISBN 9780900435027
  • Kenneth Munson, Bombers: Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft, 1914-1919. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1968, Blandford Press Ltd. ISBN 978-0753721711
  • Ian Philpott, The Birth of the Royal Air Force. Great Britain: Pen & Sword Books Limited, 2013. ISBN 978-1-78159-333-2
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