В.Кондратьев Самолеты первой мировой войны

AEG G-II/G-III/G-IV

   Берлинская фирма Альгемайне Электрицитатс Гезельшафт (AEG) приступила к созданию многомоторных аэропланов в начале 1915 года. Первая серийная модификация AEG G-2 появилась в июле того же года. Буква "G" в индексе машины обозначает Grossflugzeuge, в переводе с немецкого - "большой самолет". В дальнейшем (до появления классов "R" и "GL") этой буквой стали обозначать все многомоторные самолеты Германии и Австро-Венгрии.
   G-II - двухмоторный биплан классической схемы с тянущими винтами. Экипаж 3 человека: пилот, носовой стрелок-бомбардир и задний стрелок. Кабины экипажа сообщающиеся.
   Конструкция смешанная с преобладанием металла. Каркас фюзеляжа и оперения, а также лонжероны крыльев, стойки бипланной коробки и моторамы выполнены из тонкостенных стальных труб, нервюры деревянные. Носовая законцовка обтекаемой формы выклеена из шпона. Капоты моторов дюралевые, обшивка передней части фюзеляжа - фанера, всего остального - полотно.
   Построено от 15 до 20 экземпляров G-II. Некоторые из них имели дополнительные рули поворота, укрепленные на стабилизаторе.
   В декабре 1915-го запущен в серию AEG G-III с увеличенным размахом крыльев и более мощными моторами. Элероны и рули этой машины имели роговую аэродинамическую компенсацию.
   С февраля 1916-го G-III начали поступать на вооружение бомбардировочных эскадр Главного командования германской армии (сокращенно - Kagohl) на западном фронте. Позднее AEG появились на итальянском и македонском фронтах.
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ДВИГАТЕЛИ
  
   "Бенц" Bz.III, 150 л.с. (G-II) или "Мерседес" D.IV, 220 л.с. (G-III).
  
  
ВООРУЖЕНИЕ
  
   Носовая и хвостовая турели Шнейдера с пулеметами "Парабеллум". Бомбовая нагрузка G-II - 200 кг, G-III - 300 кг.
  
  
ЛЕТНО-ТЕХНИЧЕСКИЕ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ
  
   Размах, м 18,35
   Длина, м 9,85
   Площадь крыла, кв.м 67,0
   Сухой вес, кг 2397
   Взлетный вес, кг 3630
   Скорость максимальная, км/ч 145
   Продолжительность полета, час,мин 4,5
   Время набора высоты, мин/м 23/3000
   Потолок, м 4000

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

A.E.G. G I (K I)
   First of the A.E.G. twin-engined bombers, which led eventually to the G IV, this aircraft had a crew of three, appeared early in 1915. Only a single machine was built. Engines, two 100 h.p. Mercedes D I. Span, 160 m. (52 ft. 6 in.). Length, 8.65 m. (28 ft. 4 1/2 in.). Weights: Empty, 1,160 kg. (2,552 lb.). Loaded, 1,954 kg. (3,199 lb.). Speed, 125 km.hr. (78.125 m.p.h.). Climb, 800 m. (2,624 ft.) in 10-12 min.

A.E.G. G II
   Appearing in July 1915, the G II was a slightly larger and more powerful version of the G I, and was seen with both triple and single tail. Armed with two to three machine-guns, it was used in small numbers by the Kampfgeschwadern. Some 15 to 20 aircraft were constructed. Engines, two 150 h.p. Benz Bz III. Span, 16.2 m. (53 ft. 1 7/8 in.). Length, 9.1 m. (29 ft. 10 3/8 in.). Weights: Empty, 1,450 kg. (3,190 lb.). Loaded, 2,470 kg. (5,434 lb.). Speed, 140 km.hr. (87.5 m.p.h.). Climb, 1,000 m. (3,280 ft.) in 11 min. With crew of three, 200 kg. of bombs could be carried externally.

A.E.G. G III
   First of the A.E.G. twins to have balanced control surfaces, this series first appeared in December 1915. Limited numbers were produced. Kagohl I in Macedonia was equipped with this type in March 1916. Although similar to the subsequent G IV, the G III was distinguishable by the opposite hand of its airscrews, due to the gearing of the eight-cylinder 220 h.p. Mercedes D IV engines. Span, 18.44 m. (60 ft. 6 in.). Length, 9.2 m. (30 ft. 2 1/4 in.). Weights: Empty, 1,940 kg. (4,268 lb.). Loaded, 3,015 kg. (6,633 lb.). Speed, 158 km.hr. (98.75 m.p.h.). Climb, 1,000 m. (3,280 ft.) in 6 min. Range, 700 km. Crew, three. Armament, two manually operated machine-guns and 300 kg. bombs.

J.Herris AEG Aircraft of WWI (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 16)

AEG Bombers

   Despite the wide variety of AEG aircraft that served operationally, AEG is perhaps best known for its twin-engine bombers. These originated from development of a 'battle plane' that was essentially an aerial cruiser armed with flexible machine guns and bombs. This aircraft lead to a series of designs that became twin-engine bombers based on operational experience.
   In addition to these G-type bombers, AEG also built the successful N.I single-engine night bomber and a giant bomber, the R.I, that suffered a fatal crash during flight testing.
  

AEG K.I

   In March 1914 the German general staff sanctioned the development of the Kampfflugzeug (battle plane), and in July 1914 Idflieg issued specifications for the type in preparation for a competition planned for spring 1915. The Kampfflugzeug idea was basically an 'aerial cruiser' armed with machine guns and bombs. The aircraft was to have 200 hp, carry a crew of three, and have an endurance of six hours.
   AEG responded to the requirement with a biplane powered by two 100 hp Mercedes D.I engines; the factory designation was GZ1 and the military designation was AEG K.I. The K-type designation was soon changed to G-type, the 'G' standing for 'Grossflugzeug' or large aircraft, later to become synonymous with twin-engine bombing aircraft. The K.I had side-by-side seating for two crewmen and a single flexible machine gun was mounted in a nose turret because the aircraft was intended to chase and destroy enemy airplanes. The airframe was constructed of self-fused (autogenous) welded steel tubes. The nose was covered with light armored plate and the rest of the aircraft was fabric covered.
   In January 1915 the AEG K.I prototype was first flown by test pilot Willy Kanitz and gave promising results during flight tests in January-February. This convinced Idflieg to order a second prototype as the AEG G.I for combat evaluation.


AEG G.I

   The second AEG Kampfflugzeug prototype, now designated AEG G.I but internally retaining the company designation GZ1, was completed in March 1915 and may have incorporated components from the K.I. The G.I differed from the K.I primarily in its crew and armament; the G.I had three crewmen and flexible machine guns in fore and aft turrets. Power remained two 100 hp Mercedes D.I engines.
   The AEG G.I was shipped from the factory on April 24, 1915 for the 4.Armee for combat assessment without first being tested at Adlershof. Only one G.I was built.


AEG G.II

   Prior to the operational trials of the AEG G.I, Idflieg ordered six aircraft of an improved type, the AEG G.II (factory designation GZ2). Idflieg’s requirements for the AEG G.II included two 150 hp Benz Bz.III engines, a crew of two with three seats, a single machine gun, a 200 kg bomb load, and 150 kg of armor plate (front and side 2.3 mm and floor 1.5 mm). Controlling a multi-engine aircraft after the failure of one engine was dependent on both pilot technique and design of the aircraft; accordingly Idflieg urged AEG "to make every effort to assure that the aircraft would maintain a straight flight path with only one engine running at full power." With the more powerful engines in the G.II a larger fin and rudder were needed to main control with asymmetric thrust.
   As expected the more powerful engines gave the AEG G.II better performance and greater load-carrying capability, and Idflieg ordered a second batch of 12 G.II aircraft on May 6, 1915 before the results of the combat trials of the AEG G.I were known. The first two G.II aircraft were completed in May and reached the front in June, with a maximum of 13 at the front in December.
   The AEG G.II was not only a new aircraft but was exploring a new combat role as a multi-engine Kampfflugzeug, or aerial cruiser. The G.II was used both to escort single-engine reconnaissance and bomber aircraft and to attack enemy aircraft. Based on operational experience the first six G.II aircraft (G.2-7/15) were extensively modified for both technical and operational reasons, with the result that no two aircraft were alike. The square, armor-plated nose was replaced by a streamlined, unarmored one. Two gravity tanks and new oil tanks were installed. Because the small fin and rudder failed to provide adequate directional control with one engine out, some machines were retro-fitted with triple rudders, becoming standard beginning with the second G.II production batch (G.19-30/15).
   Despite all the modifications to the G.II, including adding a second and sometimes a third machine gun, operational experience soon made it clear that the multi-engine Kampfflugzeug concept was a failure. The Kampfflugzeug had only modest success as a multi-seat escort and was too slow and cumbersome to catch faster, more maneuverable enemy aircraft - and most enemy single-seaters were faster and more maneuverable.
   However, bomb racks were installed in all G.II aircraft and aircrews soon discovered that bombing was the most effective role for the G.II. By mid-1916 Idflieg summarized the operational record of the G.II saying it "had fared poorly in air combat, but had been successfully employed as a bomber in squadron strength." The AEG G.II thus discovered the true role of the G-type as a bomber. It remained at the front through June 1917 and set the standard for future AEG bombers. A total of 27 G.II aircraft were delivered before production was shifted to the improved G.III in May 1916.


AEG G.III

   When Idflieg ordered the first six G.II on April 1, 1915, AEG was also requested to build a Kampfflugzeug with two 220/240 hp engines, the type to be decided later. The intention was to provide greater performance and payload, and the resulting aircraft was designated the AEG G.III (factory designation GZ3). A crew of three, 200 kg of armor protection, and a bomb load of 240 kg were specified. Two machine guns or a cannon mounted in the nose and a rear machine gun was the specified armament.
   The G.III was very similar to the G.II although the wingspan was 2.24 m longer. Two of the new, 220 hp Mercedes D.IV straight-eight engines were fitted because these were the most powerful engines then in production. A four-bladed propeller was used to absorb all the power of the engine, but the long crankshaft was subject to fractures in service. The AEG specification chart shows December 1915 as the date the first G.III was completed, but the first three production aircraft were not delivered until May 1916. The G.III prototype was tested with a single fin and rudder and an early production aircraft (G.53/15) was delivered with a triple rudder for comparison. All other production G.III bombers had the single fin and rudder and most had external bomb racks.
   The G.III reached the front in June 1916 and was first used as an escort aircraft for single-engine bombers, but it quickly became clear that bombing was the appropriate role for the G.III. Kampfgeschwader 1 became "the first formation to be completely equipped with twin-engine aircraft of the G-category for the sole purpose of bombing." Serving with KG1 in Macedonia, the G.III was primarily used as a bomber but at least two strafing attacks were made. The last three G.III bombers were delivered in January 1917, bringing total G.III production to 45 aircraft; the AEG G.IV then followed the AEG G.III in production.


AEG G-Type Specifications
G.I G.II G.III G.IV G.V
Engine 2x100 hp Mercedes D.I 2x150 hp Benz Bz.III 2x220 hp Mercedes D.IV 2x260 hp Mercedes D.IVa 2x260 hp Mercedes D.IVa
Span Upper 16.00 m 16.20 m 18.44 m 18.40 m 27.24 m
Span Lower 15.20 m 15.20 m 17.20 m 17.40 m 26.30 m
Chord Upper 2.20 m 2.20 m 2.50 m 2.40 m 2.80 m
Chord Lower 2.20 m 2.20 m 2.50 m 2.40 m 2.39 m
Gap 2.30 m 2.30 m 2.60 m 2.20 m 3.00 m
Wing Area 61.0 m2 61.0 m2 74.0 m2 ??? 68.7 m2 127.2 m2
Length 8.7 m 9.1 m 9.20 m 9.70 m 10.80 m
Track 3.15 m 3.15 m 2.85 m 5.10m 4.85 m
Empty Weight 1,160 kg 1,450 kg 1,940 kg 2,400 kg 2,700 kg
Loaded Weight 1,610 kg 2,050 kg 2,560 kg 3,635 kg 4,800 kg
Maximum Speed 125 kmh 140 kmh 150 kmh 165 kmh 145 kmh
Climb, 1000m - 11 min. 6 min. 5 min. 16 min.
Climb, 2000m - - - 11 min. 12 min.
Climb, 3000m - - - 21 min. 23 min.
Climb, 4000m - - - 40 min. 34 min.
Armament 2 flexible machine guns, small bombs 2 flexible machine guns, 200 kg bombs 2 flexible machine guns, 240 kg bombs 2 flexible machine guns, 300 kg bombs 2 flexible machine guns, 1,000 kg bombs
Note: The AEG G.IVb wing span was enlarged to 24 m; this enabled a 1,000 kg bomb to be carried. For short missions up to 1,500 kg of bombs could be carried.


AEG G-Type Production Orders
Serial Numbers Qty Order Date & Notes

AEG G.II (27-28 Total)
G.2-7/15 6 April 1, 1915
G.19-30/15 12 May 6, 1915
G.46-51/15 6 September 7, 1915
Unknown (3-4) Sept. 22, 1915 (note 1)

AEG G.III (46 Total)
G.8/15 1 April 1, 1915 (note 2)
G.52-56/15 5 Sep. 7, 1915 (note 3)
G.210-239/15 30 Dec. 1, 1915 (note 4)
G.143-152/16 10 March 1916 (note 4)

Notes:
   1. 12 ordered but only 3-4 delivered
   2. Prototype, single rudder, serial unconfirmed.
   3. G.53/15 had triple rudders
   4. Single rudder
   6. The AEG G.I serial was G.1/15.