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

L.V.G. G III
   This huge triplane bomber appeared just before the war ended; it was constructed by L.V.G. to Schutte-Lanz design (Schul G V). It was of wooden construction with plywood-covered, streamlined fuselage and fabric-covered wings. Engines, 2 X 245 h.p. Maybach Mb IV. Span, 24.6 m. (80 ft. 4 3/4 in.). Length, 10.25 m. (33 ft. 7 1/2 in.). Height. 3.9 m. (12 ft. 9 5/8 in.). Area, 115 sq.m. (1,242 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 2,960 kg. (5,920 lb.). Loaded, 4,100 kg. (9,020 lb.). Speed, 130 km.hr. (81.25 m.p.h.). Climb, 3,000 m. (9,840 ft.) in 20 min. Duration, 5 1/2 hr. Armament, Parabellum machine-guns in nose and dorsal positions.

J.Herris LVG Aircraft of WWI. Vol.3: Types C.VI-C.XI & Fighters (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 36)

LVG G.III

  The last LVG bomber was the massive G.III.
  Unusually, the G.III was built by LVG to a Schutte-Lanz design, the Schutte-Lanz G.V. Why LVG should build a Schutte-Lanz design is not known but undoubtedly had something to do with manufacturing capability, at which LVG excelled.
  The LVG G.III was a massive, twin-engine triplane bomber with biplane tail and three vertical tail surfaces. The airframe was made of wood and the fuselage was covered with plywood for strength and a smooth surface finish. The middle wings extended outward from the engine nacelles and did not reach the fuselage. However, the nacelles were attached to the fuselage with heavy struts. There were gun positions fore and aft; each gunner was equipped with a single flexible machine gun.
Designed as a night bomber, the G.III's triplane configuration emphasized bomb load and reliability rather than speed or altitude performance. Unfortunately, the G.III appeared too late to go into production before the Armistice and little is known about its flying qualities.


LVG G.III Specifications
Engines: 2 x 245 hp Maybach Mb.IV
Wing: Span 24.6 m
Area 115.0 m2
General: Length 10.25 m
Height 3.9 m
Empty Weight 2,960 kg
Loaded Weight 4,100 kg
Maximum Speed: 130 kmh
Climb: 3,000m 20 min
Duration: 5 1/2 hrs
Armament: 2 flexible MGs