Friedrichshafen G.IIIa

From Wings of Linen
(Redirected from Fdh G.IIIa)
Friedrichshafen G.IIIa
Role Bomber
Manufacturer Friedrichshafen
Introduction early 1918[1] to May-June 1918[2][3]
Primary user Germany
Number built 420 ordered [4] [note 1]
Developed from Friedrichshafen G.III
Wingspan 24 m (78 ft 9 in) [5][6][note 2] [note 3]
Engine 2×260hp Mercedes D.IVa inlines
Armament forward flexible Parabellum
aft flexible Parabellum
1,500–2,100 kg (3,300–4,600 lb) of bombs[3]
Max Speed 140 km/h (87 mph)[5][6] to
160 km/h (99 mph)[8]

When the Friedrichshafen G.III lost an engine, it could be steered only with the greatest of effort. The Friedrichshafen G.IIIa sought to correct this with a box-tail double-rudder. Other improvements included the Gotha-style tunnel for firing to the downward rear quarter and Flettner tabs on the ailerons.

Austria-Hungary had tried to buy some G.IIIs in 1918, but a fire at the factory resulted in a cancellation of the order. Two were sent for study and analysis and arrived in August 1918. Oeffag was preparing to build fifty G.IIIa's (as Series 54) in autumn 1918 but none had been completed by the Armistice. They would have been powered by 2×250hp Benz(Mar) engines. [9][10]

For more information, see Wikipedia:Friedrichshafen G.III.

Timeline [note 4]

Game Data

Wings of Glory

Preliminary Stats
Availability Maneuver Damage Dmg Points Max Alt. Climb
18Q3-18Q4 XD B/B [note 5] 25 10 5

Miniatures and Models

1:144 Scale

1:200 Scale

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

1:350 Scale

1:600 Scale

1:700 Scale

Resources

Orthographic Drawings

References

Notes
  1. Production of the G.III and G.IIIa may have totaled 338.[1]
  2. With 24.05 m (78 ft 11 in) for the Daimler-built version.[5][6]
  3. Lamberton gives a wingspan of 22.6 m (74 ft). [7]
  4. German numbers are from bi-monthly Frontbestand records (Effective Frontline Strength).[2]
  5. This aircraft has a front, rear & side MG - only rear or side can be fired after each movement phase, not both, as they are operated by the rear gunner.
Citations
  1. 1.0 1.1 Angelucci, p.77.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Grosz'85, p.60 and Grosz'86, p.66.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Herris'14, pp.79-89.
  4. Grosz'97, p.37.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Grosz'97, p.31.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Harris'14, p.73.
  7. Lamberton, pp.222-223.
  8. Grosz'93, p.447.
  9. Grosz'97, p.7.
  10. Grosz'93, p.260.
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.
  • Peter Gray and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. Great Britain, Putnam, 1962, 1987. ISBN 0-85177-809-7.
  • Peter M. Grosz, "Archiv -- Frontbestand". WW1 Aero, № 107, Dec 1985 and № 108, Feb 1986. Poughkeepsie, NY: World War I Aeroplanes, Inc.
  • Peter M. Grosz, George Haddow, and Peter Schiemer. Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War One. Flying Machines Press, 1993. ISBN 0-9637110-0-8.
  • P.M. Grosz, Windsock Datafile 65: Fdh G.III~IIIa. Great Britain: Albatros Publications Ltd., 1997. ISBN 0-948414-97-9
  • Jack Herris, German G-Type Bombers of WWI. Aeronaut Books, 2014. ISBN 978-1-935881-26-1.