Martinsyde G.100

From Wings of Linen
Martinsyde G.100
Role Long Recon./Bomber/Fighter
Manufacturer Martinsyde
Designer A.A. Fletcher[1]
First flight Sept 1915 [2][3]
Introduction Jan 1916 [2][4][note 1]
Primary user U.K. (RFC/RAF)
Number built 101[note 2]
Variants Martinsyde G.102
Wingspan 11.6 m (38 ft) [6][5][7]
Propeller Diam. 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)[7]
Engine 120hp Beardmore inline
Armament top-wing fixed Lewis
(sometimes) one rear/left-firing Lewis
51–150 kg (112–336 lb)[5] of bombs
Ammo 2-3 drums of 47-97 rounds[8]
Crew 1
Max Speed 153 km/h (95 mph) [9][6][7] - 160 km/h (100 mph)[4]
Climb 2,000 m (6,500 ft) in 10:00[9][6][5][7]
3,000 m (10,000 ft) in 19:00[9][6][5][7]
Service Ceiling 4,300 m (14,000 ft) [9][6][5][7]
Endurance 5:30 [9][6][5][7]

In the early days, the term "Scout" referred to a plane that could do both reconnaissance and fighting. Martinsyde desired to make a scout that could do much longer-range scouting than the typical plane. To carry the extra petrol, the plane had to be larger than the typical single-seat scout, and that is what led to the Martinsyde G.100s nickname, the "Elephant". Due to its size, it was never as maneuverable as smaller scouts, but as well as long-range patrol, it could sacrifice some of its large fuel weight to carry bombs, so it also saw use as a light bomber.[10]

Martinsyde desired to make a new fighter/scout to replace the venerable Martinsyde S.1, and the Martinsyde G.100 was the result. It mounted a 120hp Beardmore engine and two Lewis guns -- one firing forward above the propeller from the top wing, a second behind the cockpit on the left for firing rearward [note 3]. The G.100 was scattered to various units in ones and twos except for No.27 Squadron. It fared all right as an escort, but it wasn't well-suited for dogfights. Its good lifting capacity made it into a fair light bomber, though, and it was used in this capacity in the summer-autumn of 1916 until the arrival of the Airco D.H.4.[2] Its greatest limitation was the view from the cockpit, which was quite restricted.[11]

The G.100 served on the Western Front with six squadrons, with home defense, in Mesopotamia, and in Palestine, and as a trainer. The less-competitive fronts allowed the Elephant a longer lifetime, still serving missions at the Armistice -- an impressive record for an almost-forgotten machine.

The G.102 was nothing more than a G.100 with the 160hp Beardmore engine rather than the standard 120hp. [2]

For more information, see Wikipedia:Martinsyde G.100.

Timeline [note 4] [note 5]

Game Data

Wings of Glory

Unofficial Stats
Version Availability Maneuver Damage Dmg Points Max Alt. Climb
Single-gun 16Q2-17Q4 Y B 14 11 5

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Aircraft Chart

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1:100 Scale

1:144 Scale

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Orthographic Drawings

References

Notes
  1. While the prototype was used in France in January 1916, production deliveries began in February and Sqd. No.27 arrived in March.[3].
  2. In addition, some G.102 orders were built with the 120hp Beardmore, so they were technically G.100s.[5]
  3. One wonders what kind of skill would be necessary to use the second gun effectively while flying the plane, and many pictures show it removed.
  4. British usage numbers are approximate, derived from the squadron histories.[12]
  5. Combined G.100 and G.102 timeline
Citations
  1. Bruce'67, p.3.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Bruce'69, p.303.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Bruce'98, p.4.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Bruce'98, p.37.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Bruce'98, p.36.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Lamberton, pp.214-215.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Bruce'67, p.12.
  8. Kelly, p.230.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Bruce'69, p.308.
  10. Bruce'98, p.2.
  11. Bruce'67, p.5.
  12. Philpott'13, pp.379-444.
Bibliography
  • J.M. Bruce. British Aeroplanes 1914-18. Great Britain: Funk & Wagnalls, 1957, 1969. ISBN 0370000382
  • J.M. Bruce, Profile Publications 200: The Martinsyde Elephant. Great Britain: Profile Publications, Ltd., 1967.
  • J.M. Bruce, Windsock Datafile 70: Martinsyde Elephant. Great Britain: Albatros Publications, Ltd., 1998. ISBN 1-902207-03-3
  • Kevin Kelly, "Belts and Drums: A Survey of First World War Aircraft Ammunition Totals". Over the Front, Vol. 5, No. 3, Autumn 1990. Walsworth Publishing Co, Inc. and The League of World War I Aviation Historians.
  • W.M. Lamberton and E.F. Cheesman, Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Great Britain: Harleyford Publications Limited, 1960.
  • Ian Philpott, The Birth of the Royal Air Force. Great Britain: Pen & Sword Books Limited, 2013. ISBN 978-1-78159-333-2