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Gotha WD.12/WD.13/WD.15

Страна: Германия

Год: 1917

Gotha - WD.11 - 1917 - Германия<– –>Gotha - WD.14/WD.20 - 1917 - Германия


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


Gotha WD 12
   Only a single specimen (No. 944) of this unarmed patrol seaplane was supplied to the German Navy, although other aircraft of this type were built for Turkey. Turkish machines were railed to Herkulesbad in Hungary, erected and flown across Rumania to Lom-Polanka in Bulgaria, where they were again transported to Constantinople. Engine, 160 h.p. Mercedes DIII. Span, 150 m. (49 ft. 2 5/8 in.). Length, 10.0 m. (32 ft. 9 3/4 in.). Height 3.825 m. (12 ft. 6 1/2 in.). Area, 54 sq.m. (583 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty 1,000 kg. (2,200 lb.). Loaded, 1,550 kg. (3,410 lb.). Speed, 141 km.hr (88.125 m.p.h.). Climb, 1,000 m. (3,280 ft.) in 7.5 min. Duration, 5 1/2 hr. Armament, none.

Gotha WD 13
   This patrol seaplane was a development of the WD 9. None were used by Germany, those that were built were supplied to the Turkish Government during 1917. Engine, 150 h.p. Benz Bz III. Span, 14.6 m. (47 ft. 10 7/8 in.). Length, 10.068 m. (33 ft. 0 1/2 in.). Height, 3.74 m. (12 ft. 3 1/4 in.). Area, 49 sq.m. (529 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 1,061 kg. (2,334 lb.). Loaded, 1.463 kg. (3,219 lb.). Speed, 131.5 km.hr. (82.25 m.p.h.). Climb, 1,000 m. (3,280 ft.) in 9 min. Duration, 3 hr. Armament, one manually operated Parabellum machine-gun in rear cockpit.


Gotha WD 15
   Built towards the end of 1917, the WD 15 was little more than an enlarged WD 12 with ply-skinned fuselage and fin. It was the most powerful and also the last single-engined machine to be supplied by Gotha to the German Navy. Only two were built, Nos. 842 and 843. Engine, 260 h.p. Mercedes D IVa. Span, 17.2 m. (56 ft. 5 1/4 in.). Length, 11.2 m. (36 ft. 9 in.). Area, 64.5 sq.m. (697 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 1,545 kg. (3,399 lb.). Loaded, 2,300 kg. (5,060 lb.). Speed, 152 km.hr. (95 m.p.h.). Ceiling, 4,200 m. (13,780 ft.). Armament, none.


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


Gotha WD12

   The Gotha WD12 was designed by Rosner for maximum speed. Powered by a 160 hp Mercedes D.III engine, the WD12 was proposed by Gotha on 14 April 1916, and the prototype, Marine Number 944, was delivered to the SVK on 24 February 1917. Designated WD12a after modifications made in May to gain acceptance, the seaplane was fitted with an electrical bomb release for bombing trials. The WD12 was recommended for production because of its good seakeeping qualities. The WD12a was assigned to the flight school at Holtenau in February 1918.
   On 28 August 1917 nine WD12s were ordered by Turkey in the Gotha work number batch 2150-2166, even numbers. Six had the 160 hp Mercedes D.III engine like the prototype,- the other three had the 150 hp Benz Bz.III. The observer in the rear cockpit of these aircraft had a flexible Parabellum LMG 14 machine gun. These aircraft have been identified in some German Navy documents as WD9s, but the original Gotha factory photos are labeled WD12.

Gotha WD12 Specifications
Engine: 160 hp Mercedes D.III 150 hp Benz Bz.III
Wing: Span Upper 15.00 m
Span Lower 14.00 m
Area 54 m2
General: Length 10.00 m
Height 3.82 m
Empty Weight 1000 kg
Loaded Weight 1560 kg
Maximum Speed: 140 km/h
Climb: 1000m 7.5 min
3000m 41 min
Service Ceiling: 4200 m
Range: 775 km


Gotha WD13

   The Gotha WD13 was designed by Rosner and Hartwig. Powered by a 150 hp Benz Bz.III engine, the WD13 was not used by the German Navy,- all six aircraft produced were to fill a Turkish order. These aircraft, Gotha works numbers 2186-2196, even numbers, were delivered between 21 December 1917 and 4 February 1918. The aircraft were accepted at the SVK and then shipped to Turkey. The observer in the rear cockpit of these aircraft had a flexible Parabellum LMG 14 machine gun.

Gotha WD13 Specifications
Engine: 150 hp Benz Bz.III
Wing: Span Upper 14.60 m
Area 49 m2
General: Length 10.07 m
Height 3.74 m
Empty Weight 1060 kg
Loaded Weight 1460 kg
Maximum Speed: 131.5 km/h
Climb: 1000m 9 min
Duration: 3 hours


Gotha WD15

   Designed by Rosner and Klaube, two Gotha WD15s were ordered on 14 July 1916 as heavy, multi-purpose seaplanes powered by a 260 hp Mercedes D.IVa engine. Although it had an excellent speed and rate of climb, the WD15 had engine problems despite being powered by a well-proven production engine.
   The WD15 prototype, Marine Number 842, was destroyed on 18 September 1917 when a float collapsed. The second WD15, Marine Number 843, was delivered the next day and incorporated improvements as a result of flight tests of the prototype, including having ailerons on all wings with a strut connecting the upper and lower ailerons. The second WD15 was accepted in January 1918 but the SVK disapproved series production.

Gotha WD15 Specifications
Engine: 260 hp Mercedes D.IVa
Wing: Span Upper 17.20 m
Span Lower 16.00 m
Area 64.5 m2
General: Length 11.15 m
Height 4.25 m
Empty Weight 1544 kg
Loaded Weight 2300 kg
Maximum Speed: 150 km/h
Climb: 1000m 8.5 min
3000m 42.5 min
Service Ceiling: 4200 m
Duration: 900 km


Gotha Seaplane Production Summary
Type Ordered Marine Numbers Remarks
WD12 10 944 9 went to Turkey, no Marine Numbers
WD13 6 na All 6 went to Turkey, no Marine Numbers
WD15 2 842-843 842 destroyed during testing


M.Dusing German Aviation Industry in WWI. Volume 1 (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 84)


Gothaer Waggonfabrik A.-G., Gotha (Go)

Aircraft Development:

<...>
  The need for fighter seaplanes led to the design of the WD9 type with a 160 hp Daimler engine. Special modification regarding the bracing was necessary so that the MG could shoot forward through the wings past the propeller. The float frame formed the supporting body for the cells. The design of this type of aircraft for bombs and radios resulted in the WD13 type.
<...>

O.Thetford, P.Gray - German Aircraft of the First World War /Putnam/
Gotha WD 12
M.Dusing - German Aviation Industry in WWI. Volume 2 /Centennial Perspective/ (85)
This Gotha WD.12a, Marine No.944 was equipped with Daimler D.III engine and Reschke propeller.
C.Owers - Hansa-Brandenburg Aircraft of WWI. Volume 1 - Landplanes /Centennial Perspective/ (17)
A typical Norderney winter scene with a Brandenburg FB hiding at the waterline with Gotha WD7 MN 674 at left and Brandenburg NW (Gotha WD12 ???) floatplanes
J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (6)
The prototype WD12 showing the observer's faired headrest, consistent with this aircraft being unarmed.
J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (6)
One of the Turkish WD12 seaplanes showing the aft gunner's cockpit with gun ring. This distinguishes the Turkish WD12s from the unarmed prototype used by the German Navy.
The Turkish Navy operated a number of Gotha WD12 seaplanes; its duration of over five hours made it useful for patrols over the Black Sea.
M.Dusing - German Aviation Industry in WWI. Volume 1 /Centennial Perspective/ (84)
Gotha WD12 (1917)
J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (6)
Side view of a WD13 in Turkish markings on a beaching dolly.The observer's gun ring is clearly visible. Unlike most preceding Gotha seaplanes, the rudder has no aerodynamic balance. The German Navy evaluated the WD13 but did not purchase any; all six WD13s built were purchased and operated by Turkey.
J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (6)
Little more than a cleaned up, 160hp Benz Bz IIIa-engined Gotha WD 9, their two seat WD 13 coastal patroller was bought by the navy in 1917 specifically for Turkish use. Built only in small numbers, the WD 13's top level speed was 87mph, the machine had a useful operational range of 466 miles. The observer's gun ring is clearly visible.
J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (6)
Gotha WD13 in Turkish markings. The German Navy evaluated the WD13 but did not purchase any; all WD13s were purchased and operated by Turkey.
M.Dusing - German Aviation Industry in WWI. Volume 1 /Centennial Perspective/ (84)
Gotha WD9 (WD13 ???) (1916)
J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (6)
The first prototype WD15, Marine Number 842, before the Marine Number was added. The first prototype had ailerons on the upper wings only.
J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (6)
The first prototype WD15, Marine Number 842, on beaching dollies.
J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (6)
The first prototype WD 15, Marine Number 842, on beaching dollies. The typical Gotha rudder with horn balance underneath is evident.
J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (6)
The first prototype WD15, Marine Number 842, on a beaching dolly upon delivery to the SVK.
J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (6)
The first prototype WD15, Marine Number 842, in the Gotha factory pond before the Marine Number was added.
J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (6)
The first prototype WD 15, Marine Number 842, on dollies.The 260 hp Mercedes D.IVa engine gave the WD15 good performance but both prototypes suffered from engine problems despite the Mercedes D.IVa being a generally reliable engine in mass production and use. The Gotha bombers used the Mercedes D.IVa without significant problems, so the numerous problems with the D.IVa in the WD15 were unusual.
J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (6)
The second prototype WD15, Marine Number 843, afloat in the Gotha factory pond. The second prototype WD15 incorporated a number of improvements as a result of flight testing the first prototype; the most visible was the use of ailerons on all wings, with the upper and lower ailerons connected by an actuating strut. Like the first prototype, the second prototype also suffered a number of engine problems with its 260 hp Mercedes D.IVa engine, and despite being accepted in January 1918, the SVK did not approve series production.
J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (6)
Gotha WD.12
J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (6)
Gotha WD.13
J.Herris - Gotha Aircraft of WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (6)
Gotha WD.15