J.Herris Roland Aircraft of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 9)

Roland G.I

   The Roland G.I was Roland's only G-type design; the 'G' designation, for Grossflugzeug (large aircraft), later became synonymous with twin-engine bombers. Despite the fact that all other G-types were twin-engine aircraft, the Roland G.I was a single-engine aircraft. The fuselage-mounted engine drove two pusher propellers via gears and shafts. The fact that there were only two crewmembers, with the gunner handling a single flexible machine gun in the nose, indicates that the G.I was originally conceived as a Kampfflugzeug (battle plane), or aerial cruiser, similar in concept to the AEG K.I. The AEG K.I was fitted with two 100 hp engines; the Roland G.I had more power from its single 245 hp Maybach Mb.IV engine. Despite its array of drag-producing mounting struts for the propellers, the G.I was said to be capable of 160 km/h, a good speed for a G-type at the time. The landing gear was neatly designed and featured twin nose wheels to prevent nosing over on landing.
   The Kampfflugzeug concept was a failure because the lumbering aircraft could not catch faster two-seaters, and these aircraft quickly found their true role as bombers. With its single engine centrally mounted at its center of gravity, the Roland G.I was not suited to all the modifications necessary to convert it into a bomber, including adding a third crewman aft as a rear gunner. As far as is known only a single G.I was built. A G.II design was ordered from Roland at the same time the G.I design was ordered, but the G.II was not built.

Roland G.I Specifications
Engine: 245 hp Maybach Mb.IV
Wing: Span 30.1 m
General: Length 15.9 m
Empty Weight 2,750 kg
Loaded Weight 4,300 kg
Maximum Speed: 160 km/h