Gotha WD.22

O.Thetford, P.Gray German Aircraft of the First World War (Putnam)
J.Herris Gotha Aircraft of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 6)

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

Gotha WD 22
To pursue investigation into long-range reconnaissance and patrol duties, two Gotha WD 22s were built during 1918, Nos. 2133 and 2134. They were powered by four engines tandem mounted in twin nacelles; the forward engines driving tractor airscrews were 160 h.p. Mercedes D IIIs, and the rear engines driving pusher airscrews were 100 h.p. Mercedes D I. They were generally similar to the WD 14s. Span, 26.0 m. (85 ft. 3 3/4 in.) Length, 14.4 m. (47 ft. 3 in.). Area, 147 sq.m. (1,588 sq.ft.). Weights. Empty, 3,800 kg. (8,360 lb.). Loaded, 5,170 kg. (11,374 lb.). Speed. 131 km.hr. (82.19 m.p.h.). Armament, manually operated Parabellum machine-guns fore and aft.

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

Gotha WD22

   The Gotha WD21 was not built; the next Gotha seaplane design to appear was the WD22. Designed by Rosner and Klaube, two Gotha WD22 long-range maritime reconnaissance seaplanes, Marine Numbers 2133-2134, were ordered in October 1917 for comparison with the Navy's giant Staaken floatplanes. The first WD22, Marine Number 2133, had two tractor 160 hp Mercedes D.III engines and two 100 hp Mercedes D.I pusher engines mounted in tandem.
   Delivered in May 1918, WD22 Marine Number 2133 was found to be seriously tail heavy, seemingly an endemic problem with Gotha twin-engine and multi-engine airplanes. It was returned to the factory for increased sweepback and was again delivered to the SVK in September 1918.
   The second WD22, Marine Number 2134, was delivered on 21 August 1918. It featured reversed engine positions; the Mercedes D.III engines now serving as pushers and the D.I engines as tractors.
   Both WD22s were found at the Hage storage depot in December 1918.

Gotha WD22 Specifications
Engines: 2 x 160 hp Mercedes D.III and
2 x 100 hp Mercedes D.I
Wing: Span Area 26.00 m 147 m2
General: Length 14.35 m
Height 5.20 m
Empty Weight 3830 kg
Loaded Weight 5200 kg
Maximum Speed: 131 km/h
Climb: 1000m 15.2 min
Service Ceiling: 3000 m
Duration: 780 km

Gotha Seaplane Production Summary
Type Ordered Marine Numbers Remarks
WD22 2 2133-2134 Too late for operational service

Самолеты (сортировка по:)
Страна	Конструктор	Название	Год	Фото	Текст

	J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/
	The first WD22, Marine Number 2133, photographed at the SVK on 3 July 1918 in its original form.The tractor engines were 160 hp Mercedes D.III engines and the pushers were 100 hp Mercedes D.I engines.
	J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/
	The first of two prototype WD22 seaplanes, Marine Number 2133, in its original form. The Gotha WD 22 powered by a pair of 200 hp Benz Bz.IV engines, was one of the later, more powerful torpedo bomber designs. When actual torpedo operations gave disappointing results and the aircraft too vulnerable during their attacks, torpedo operations were abandoned and the aircraft were reassigned to long-range reconnaissance and bombing. To extend their reconnaissance range, jettisonable fuel tanks were carried in the torpedo slings.
	J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/
	The massive WD22 would seem to deserve four 260 hp Mercedes D.IVa engines of the type used in the Gotha G.IV and G.V instead of the smaller, less powerful engines fitted. That less powerful engines were installed was likely a result of the Royal Navy's Distant Blockade that was strangling German access to resources.
	J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/
	The first WD22, Marine Number 2133, photographed at the SVK. Like the Gotha G.IV and G.V bombers and the preceding WD20 long-range reconnaissance seaplane, the WD22 was very tail heavy, a fault that seriously reduced longitudinal stability and therefore greatly compromised flight safety. There was no rationale for this in a seaplane.
	J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/
	WD22 cockpit with some of the instruments and controls labeled; note the throw-over control wheel at right.