O.Thetford, P.Gray German Aircraft of the First World War (Putnam)

Gotha WD 1
   Although a pre-war design, five WD 1 and 1a aircraft saw service during the early months of the war, on coastal patrol duties. In April 1914 a WD 1 flew from Warnemunde seaplane station to Denmark. Engine, 100 h.p. Gnome. Span, 14.1 m. (46 ft. 34 in.). Length, 10.3 m. (33 ft. 9 5/8 in.). Area, 50 sq.m. (540 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 900 kg. (1,980 lb.). Loaded, 1,220 kg. (2,684 lb.). Speed, 90 km.hr. (61.75 m.p.h.). Ceiling, 2,500 m. (8,200 ft.).


Gotha WD 2
   Altogether eleven Gotha WD 2s were supplied to the Navy during 1915 and used on reconnaissance and patrol duties. The type was also supplied to Turkey, this version having a machine-gun mounted on top of the centre-section, which the observer stood up to operate. Engine, 150 h.p. Benz III. Span, 15.6 m. (51 ft. 2 1/4 in.). Length, 10.5 m. (34 ft. 5 1/2 in.). Area, 56 sq.m. (605 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 1,065 kg. (2,343 lb.). Loaded, 1,630 kg. (3,586 lb.). Speed, 112 km.hr. (70 m.p.h.). Ceiling, 3,000 m. (9,840 ft.). Armament, none.

J.Herris Gotha Aircraft of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 6)

Gotha WD1

   The first Gotha WD1 was a private venture completed in February 1914 and powered by a 14-cylinder, 100 hp Gnome rotary. The second WD1 powered by a 100 hp Mercedes D.I was built for the Ostseeflug Warnemunde 1914. This aircraft, competition number 20, was purchased by the Navy on 8 August 1914 and assigned Marine Number 59.
   On 14 December 1914 the Navy purchased five Gotha WD1 seaplanes, Marine Numbers 285-289. Powered by a 100 hp Mercedes, these were delivered between 17 February and 24 March 1915. The WD1 suffered from poor aileron control and long take-off runs.
   Despite being unarmed and low-powered, three WD1 seaplanes, Marine Numbers 286, 287, and 289, were sent to the German Wasserfliegerabteilung in Turkey, arriving in July 1915. These seaplanes were used for reconnaissance and light bombing of Allied forces on Imbros and the Gallipoli peninsula. These seaplanes also conducted anti-submarine patrols over the Sea of Marmara and attacked British submarines on several occasions. In October 1915 three armed Gotha WD2 seaplanes were added to the German unit. On 29 Nov. 1915 both #287 and #289 were lost in separate incidents due to mechanical failure.

Gotha WD1 Specifications
Engine: 100 hp Mercedes D.I
Wing: Span Upper 14.10 m
Span Lower 13.63 m
Area 50 m2
General: Length 10.32 m
Height 4.00 m
Empty Weight 800 kg
Loaded Weight 1220 kg
Maximum Speed: 90 km/h
Climb: 1000m 24.5 min
Service Ceiling 2500 m
Range: 540 km


Gotha WD2

   Powered by a 150 hp Rapp engine, the Gotha WD2 was built for the Ostseeflug Warnemunde 1914. This aircraft, competition number 19a, was confiscated by the Navy at the beginning of the war and assigned Marine Number 61. Damaged several times during flight testing, it was repaired and finally accepted on 10 December 1914.
   A second WD2, also entered in the Ostseeflug Warnemunde 1914, was competition number 19. Powered by a 150 hp Benz Bz.III, this WD2 was accepted by the Navy on 5 August 1914 and assigned Marine Number 60.
   The first WD2 production series, five floatplanes with Marine Numbers 236-240 and powered by the 160 hp Mercedes D.III, was ordered in July 1914 and delivered between December 1914 and April 1915. The second WD2 production series, again of five aircraft, was given Marine Numbers 254-258. This series was ordered in March 1915, and the last aircraft was delivered that December. On 3 July 1915, accompanied by an Albatros floatplane, WD2 #257 from Zeebrugge bombed the Landguard Point signals station near Harwich without effect.
   Two 160 hp Mercedes-powered WD2 aircraft were built as Marine Numbers 424-425; these were fitted with temporary wheels and a tailskid attached to each float for overland flights to Turkey because shipments through Romania were banned. These delivery flights took place in early 1916. These WD2s were fitted with a machine gun turret above the upper wing, giving the gunner a 360° field of fire.
   Six WD2s were ordered for Turkey on 6 January 1916 and delivered in May-July 1916; these were powered by the 160 hp Mercedes D.III. Because these were ordered for Turkey no Marine Numbers were assigned. Five similar floatplanes were delivered to the German Navy in February-March 1916. Because the Navy criticized the WD2 floatplanes for poor seaworthiness, many WD2s were sent to the Dardanelles where the weather and sea conditions were less demanding.
   The last two WD2s were ordered by Turkey on 29 April 1916 and delivered in August; no Marine Numbers were assigned. These were modified by having a conventional gun ring for the observer, split radiators mounted on the center-section struts, and a large gravity tank mounted away from the engine. Turkish sources label these machines as WD13s.


Gotha WD2 Specifications
Engine: 150 hp Benz Bz.III
150 hp Rapp Rp.III 160 hp Mercedes D.III
Wing: Span Upper 16.43 m
Span Lower 15.57 m
Area 58.5 m2
General: Length 10.50 m
Height 4.10 m
Empty Weight 1050 kg
Loaded Weight 1487 kg
Maximum Speed: 96 km/h
Climb: 1000m 12 min
2000m 32 min
Service Ceiling 3200 m
Range: 670 km


Gotha Seaplane Production Summary
Type Ordered Marine Numbers Remarks
WD1 6 59, 285-289 286, 287, and 289 served in Turkey
WD2 22 60-61, 236-240, 254-258, 424-425 424-425 went to Turkey. Turkey ordered 8 more without Marine Numbers