D.F.W. R.II

From Wings of Linen
D.F.W. R.II
Role Bomber
Manufacturer D.F.W.
Designer Dorner
First flight Aug 1917 [1]
Introduction no wartime use[2]
Primary user Germany
Number built 2-5 [1]
Wingspan 35.06 m (115 ft 0 in)[3][2]-35.3 m (115 ft 9 in)[4]
Propeller Diam. 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in)[2]
Engine 4×260hp Mercedes D.IVa[3]
Armament 4-5 Parabellum[4] [note 1]
Max Speed 132 km/h (82 mph)[4][5]-135 km/h (84 mph)[3][2]
Climb 2,000 m (6,560 ft) in 58:00[3][2]
3,000 m (9,800 ft) in 53:00[4]
Range 920 km (570 mi)[4]
Endurance 6:00[5] to 9:10 [4]

At least six D.F.W. R.II Riesenflugzeug giant bombers were ordered, with serial numbers R.15/15 through R.20/15.[3] R.15 first flew in August 1917[1] or 17 Sep 1917[2] but spent several months in testing and adjustment. R.16 made its first flight in May 1918 and joined R.15 during the summer.[1]

None of the R.IIs became operational during wartime. Instead the were used for training and large-plane experimentation, and only three were fully completed. R.20 was cancelled. R.18 and R.19 were planned to be finished as civil aircraft, but instead they were scrapped.[2]

For more information, see Wikipedia:DFW R.II.

References

Notes
  1. ↑ Ventral, dorsal, and nose gun positions were planned.[2]
Citations
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Lamberton, p.157.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Haddow'69, pp.93-98.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Haddow'69, p.67.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Lamberton, pp.222-223.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Gray, p.326.
Bibliography
  • Peter Gray and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. Great Britain, Putnam, 1962, 1987. ISBN 0-85177-809-7.
  • G.W. Haddow and Peter M. Grosz, The German Giants; The German R-Planes 1914-1918. New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 2nd Ed., 1969. ISBN 9780370000374
  • W.M. Lamberton and E.F. Cheesman, Reconnaissance & Bomber Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Great Britain: Harleyford Publications Ltd., 1962. ISBN 9780900435027
Retrieved from "https://linen.miraheze.org/wiki/D.F.W._R.II?oldid=11220"