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

Brandenburg GW
   Developed as a torpedo strike aircraft during 1916, a total of twenty-six aircraft were supplied to the German Navy. The prototype had triple vertical tail surfaces, but the production machines had a simplified empennage. In production aircraft the frontal radiators of the prototype were re-located in the wings, and flush. The GW was capable of carrying a torpedo weighing 725 kg. (1,595 lb.), and chiefly operated from the seaplane station at Angernsee in Courland. Engines, two 160 h.p. Mercedes D III. Span, 21.56 m. (70ft.8 7/8in.). Length, 12.57m.(41 ft. 3in.). Height, 4.145 m. (13 ft. 7 1/8 in.). Area, 102.14 sq.m. (1,103 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 2,334 kg. (5,135 lb.). Loaded, 3,928 kg. (9,506 lb.). Speed, 102.14 km.hr. (64 m.p.h.). Climb, 1,000 m. (3,280 ft.) in 22 min. Armament, one torpedo, one defensive Parabellum machine-gun.


Brandenburg GDW
   With enlarged proportions, this 1916 machine was a development of the GW and was designed to carry a heavier torpedo weighing 1,825 kg. (4,015 lb.). Only a single aircraft was built (No. 746), and it was probably seconded to training duties. Engines, two 200 h.p. Benz Bz IV. Span, 24.5 m. (80 ft. 4 5/8 in.). Length, 15.8 m. (51 ft. 10 1/8 in.). Height, 5.0 m. (16 ft. 4 in.). Area, 134 sq.m. (1,447 sq.ft.). Weights: Empty, 2,936 kg. (6,459 lb.). Loaded, 4,851 kg. (10,672 lb.). Speed, 130 km.hr. (81.25 m.p.h.). Climb, 1,000 m. (3,280 ft.) in 19.5 min.

C.Owers Hansa-Brandenburg Aircraft of WWI Vol.2: Biplane Seaplanes (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 18)

Type GW
  
   According to Heinkel, the GW floatplane was based on the twin-engined GF bomber. The family development is readily seen in the appearance of the machine. This large floatplane was developed during 1916 to carry a 725-kg torpedo, hence T Class. The prototype, MN 528, had triple vertical tail surfaces but this was simplified on production machines. The drag-inducing frontal radiators of the prototype were replaced by flush-mounted aerofoil radiators on the rest of the batch of floatplanes. Heinkel states it was the first time that a machine carried starting devices for the engines.(35) One defensive Parabellum machine gun was provided. The prototype passed its tests in January 1916 at Warnemunde. The German Navy ordered a further 20 of these aircraft after successful testing of the prototype.
   The twin Mercedes engines were mounted in nacelles between the wings on each sides of the fuselage. The rudder was balanced being above the fin and below the fuselage. A large triangular fin was mounted atop the fuselage. The twin floats were mounted directly below each engine nacelle. A single machine gun was provided for defence.
   The first two batches of five machines each were delivered between April and August 1916. The production examples were mainly operated from Lake Engure,(36) Angernsee seaplane station in Courland, Latvia, against Russian targets. The German army had captured large areas of the Russian Empire in 1915. The seaplane base established at Angernsee was to enable the Germans to carry out reconnaissance and aerial operations against the Russian forces on the Eastern and Southern sides of the Gulf of Riga. The lake was an excellent place from which to operate seaplanes and a nearby airfield allowed for the use of landplanes as well, Fokker Eindecker monoplanes operating from here in defence of the station. In July 1916 the 1st Torpedo-Staffel began to establish itself at the station with a single Friedrichshafen FF33H and four Brandenburg GW floatplanes. The Brandenburgs were numbered T1 to T4 and these numbers were carried on their fuselage.
   T3 (MN 648) was damaged during a Russian air raid on 16/17 August. Its tail was damaged when a Russian bomb blew the hangar door in. T1 and T4(37) also sustained slight shrapnel damage during this attack.
   Apparently the GW floatplanes were not well received as it was reported back to the test command that it took over an hour to reach cruising altitude.
   Although each batch was different they were all designated Type GW and were duly recorded as such in the SVK drawings. The prototype had triple rudders. MNs 700 - 704 had a more rounded nose and a single rudder. This batch was constructed between September 1916 and January 1917. MNs 1080 - 1084 had short noses and were constructed between September and November 1917. They saw service from Zeebrugge and other North Sea bases.
   The kuk Kriegsmarine received a single GW (MN 701) in late November 1917 that received the Austro-Hungarian serial T1 (T2 and T3 were Gotha WD.14 biplanes).

(35) Various writers have noted that Heinkel had a habit of claiming the "first" for many innovations.
(36) Also spelt Angern. This section has been written mainly from "The Battle of Angernsee", by A. Alexandrov and R. Kintner, Over the Front Journal, US, Vol.18, No.4, 2003, P.292.
(37) T4 was MN 649.


Brandenburg GW Production
Marine Numbers Class Delivered Notes
528 T Jan. 1916 Prototype. Triple rudders.
620 - 624 TMG Aug. - Oct. 1916 Machine gun provided for defence. Revised tailplane, triple rudders.
646 - 650 TMG Apr. - July 1916 Transition between triple & single rudders in this batch.
700 - 704 T Nov.1916 - Mar.1917 Single rudder. Gunner to rear. 701 to Austro-Hungarian Navy.
1080 - 1084 T Sept. - Nov.1917 Revised tailplane, balanced elevators.


Brandenburg GW Specifications
Source Typenschau Gray & Thetford Brandenburg 3-View GW IV Serie SVK MN 620 (620 - 624) SVK MN 647 (646 - 650) SVK MN 700 (700 - 704) SVK MN 1083 (1080 - 1084)
Dimensions in m
Span, Upper 21.56 21.56 21.560 21.000 21.000 21.000 21.560
Span, Lower 21.56 21.56 21.560 21.000 21.000 21.000 21.560
Length 11.74 11.74 11.700 11.700 11.740 11.900
Chord, Upper 2.56 - 2.560 2.400 2.400 2.500 2.560
Chord, Lower 2.56 - 2.560 2.400 2.400 2.500 2.560
Areas in m2
Wings 103.40 103.4 - - - - -
Ailerons 6.0 - - - - - -
Elevators 2.5 - - - - - -
Rudder 2.13 - - - - - -
Weights in kg
Empty 2,374 2,374 2,334 2,399 2,315 2,361 2,374
Loaded 3,856 3,856 3,928 3,590 3,741 3,787 3,856
Performance
Speed in km/hr 127.5 127.5 - - - - -
Time to 500 m - - - 9.9 min. 10.5 min. 9 min. 11.7 min.
Time to 800 m 20.9 min. 20.9 min. - 17.5 min. 21 min. 14.5 min. 20.8 min.
Time to 1000 m 29.1 min. 29.1 min. 22 min. 26 min. 30 min. 19.9 min. 29.4 min.
Time to 1500 m - - - 53.5 min. 60.5 min. 34 min. -
Motor 160-hp Mercedes 160-hp Mercedes D.III 160-hp Mercedes 195-hp 195-hp 160-hp 160-hp Mercedes


Type GDW
  
   As the designation shows, the Class T floatplane GDW was a development of the GW designed to carry the heavier 825-kg torpedo, the extra power being supplied by a pair of 220-hp Benz engines. Only a single aircraft, MN 746, was built. The prototype was modified after its acceptance by the SVK as photographs show that the rudder was now an inverted L shape and did not extend below the fuselage. A large triangular fin was fitted. The elevators were now balanced and in two pieces. The SVK drawing shows MN 746 with plain elevators and a large rudder with balance surfaces above and below the fuselage. The machine must have been modified after initial testing. Again a single machine gun provided defence. The pilot and gunner were both situated towards the wing trailing edge, in close proximity for communication. The pilot would have had little view above due to being situated almost completely below the upper wing. The wings were constructed in seven sections, the outer panels being swept back from the engine nacelles.
   It is thought the GDW was utilized for training as no further development took place. Production of such large aircraft in small numbers was typical of the times. Aircraft were constantly evolving and the skilled factory workers could produce a prototype in a relatively short time. Until a machine had flown there was no way of knowing if the design would perform as predicted by the aeronautical engineering science of the day.

Brandenburg GDW Specifications
Source Typenschau Gray & Thetford SVK MN 746
Dimensions in m
Span, Upper 24.30 24.5 24.500
Span, Lower 24.30 - 24.500
Length 9.50 9.5 9.500
Height - 5.0 5.000
Chord, Upper 2.935 - 2.935
Chord, Lower 2.935 - 2.935
Areas in m2
Wings 134.00 134 -
Ailerons 9.0 - -
Elevators 3.40 - -
Rudder 2.85 - -
Empty Wt., kg 2,950 2,936 -
Loaded Wt., kg 4,865 4,851
Performance
Speed in km/hr 130 130 -
Time to 800 m 13.5 min. - -
Time to 1000 m 17.5 min. 19.5 min. -
Time to 1500 m 29.0 min. - -
Time to 2000 m 45.0 min. - -
Motor 220-hp Benz 200-hp Benz Bz.IV 200-hp Benz

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

Hansa und Brandenburgische Flugzeugwerke AG (Brand)

Aircraft Development:

<...>
  Brandenburg had much greater success with the floatplane version of the “GF”. This was designated Type “GW” and was the first torpedo-bomber in the German Navy. 21 machines were ordered in 1916 in both long and short nosed versions all being powered with two Mercedes D.III’s of 160 hp each.
  A more powerful version of the Type “GW” appeared in mid-1916. This aircraft, the Type “GDW” had a greater wingspan than its predecessor and more powerful engines (2 Benz Bz.IV’s of 200 hp. each). It was also tested with the Benz Bz.IVa’s of 220 hp but as no orders were placed by the Navy it remained the sole example.
<...>

M.Schmeelke "Torpedo Los!" (Aeronaut)

German Torpedo Aircraft

Hansa-Brandenburg

  The Hansa-Brandenburg Werke in Briest an der Havel delivered the Brandenburg GW (Marine No. 528) as a torpedo aircraft on 8 February 1916 at Warnemunde. A lot of things had to be changed during the course of testing. Twice the flight tests ended in mishaps, so that the 528 was temporarily removed from the list of seaplanes on 28 October 1916 and 17 February 1917. On December 12, 1916, a heating device for the G/125 torpedo type was installed. On naval vessels a heating device was installed in the torpedo launch tubes. The torpedo was warmed to prevent the internal mechanical components from freezing. In the aircraft, this was replaced by an electrical heating system powered by a Dynamo. The device was successfully tested until 2 January 1917, whereby fire danger was also excluded by test firing torpedo G/125. On 5 March 1917, Brandenburg GW 528 was transferred to the Torpedo Werft Kiel for training purposes. The first series aircraft (Marine No. 620 - 624) were followed by a second series, Navy Nos. 646 - 650. Hansa Brandenburg made various structural improvements to the follow-up series (700 - 704), which were delivered thru March 1917. The pilot now sat in the fuselage front cockpit, shifted slightly to the left and flew the actual torpedo attack. The Brandenburg GW 624 and 704 were used for experiments at the bomb facility. Here arrived the release mechanism for 58 kg bombs and the Pintsch bombsite for installation. On the last series of Brandenburg torpedo aircraft (1080 - 1084), the designers shortened the fuselage, so that the torpedo protruded by about 50 cm beyond the fuselage. The Brandenburg G (1081) received aluminum floats from the Zeppelin-Werke-Lindau (ZWL) in September 1917 before being sent to the Front.
  However, due to their light construction, the Brandenburg torpedo aircraft had severe structural weaknesses, which were already apparent before deployment. Even in Kiel, the Brandenburg GW (649) did not withstand the torpedo load. On June 15, 1916, Flugmeister Becher and Flug-Maat Mensing dropped two torpedoes on torpedo boat T31. While the first torpedo hit T31 without any problems, the starboard float's front, middle strut buckled on the second approach. Hansa-Brandenburg expressed the suspicion that the torpedo dropping mechanism had not worked correctly. The torpedo must have damaged the strut. After Kptlt. Ernst Kuffner, as speaker of the TVK, re-examined the Brandenburg 649 dropping device and found no error, Ernst Heinkel travelled to Kiel with a master craftsman. The Master of the Works subjected the Brandenburg T aircraft to a thorough inspection and re-tensioned all the aircraft. However, this did not solve the problems of the Brandenburg T-aircraft, as the I.T-Staffel quickly discovered at its location in Angernsee. Nevertheless, the I. and II.T-Staffeln had to fly missions with the Brandenburg GW until 1918. As squadron leader of the 2nd T-Staffel, Olt.z.S. Wedel complained about the poor flight characteristics of the Brandenburg GW in a report to the SVK Warnemunde in May 1917:
  “The Brandenburg T-aircraft have never had good climb capability, but it has now decreased even more. Flies no higher than 600 to 700 meters with torpedo. Despite a longer take-off run, without wind the planes can no longer get out of the water.
  When our own [torpedo boat] flotilla was being hunted by destroyers on May 10, T-aircraft 700 and 701 should have taken off quickly for attack.
  701 only came out of the water with great difficulty, 700 not at all. When the Zeebrugge Locks were shelled on 12 May 1917, it was the other way around.
  Even new fabric covering did not change the climbing performance.
  Of the two Gotha T-aircraft delivered [Gotha WD11 T991 and T992], which appear to have significantly better climbing performance, the first is only today, 9 days after the arrival from the B.-No. G.73 on 7 May 1917, declared Front ready. The second Gotha T-aircraft takes just as long to get clear. Please exchange 700 and 701 for Gothas as soon as possible and replace them with 2 x 220 hp aircraft as soon as possible."


Brandenburg Type GW

  According to its designer, the GW floatplane was based on the twin-engined GF bomber. The family development is readily seen in the appearance of the machine. This large floatplane was developed during 1916 to carry a 725-kg torpedo, hence T Class. The prototype, MN 528, had triple vertical tail surfaces, as did the first production batch and part of the second. This was simplified to a single rudder and fin on later production machines. The drag-inducing frontal radiators of the prototype were replaced by flush-mounted aerofoil radiators on the rest of the batch of floatplanes. GW machines carried starting devices for the engines. One defensive Parabellum machine gun was provided. The prototype passed its tests in January 1916 at Warnemunde. The German Navy ordered a further 20 of these aircraft after successful testing of the prototype.
  The twin Mercedes engines were mounted in nacelles between the wings on each sides of the fuselage. The rudder was balanced being above the fin and below the fuselage. A large triangular fin was mounted atop the fuselage. The twin floats were mounted directly below each engine nacelle. A single machine gun was provided for defence. It was reported back to the test command that it took over an hour to reach cruising altitude.
  Although each batch was different they were all designated Type GW and were duly recorded as such in the SVK drawings. The prototype and early production machines had triple rudders. MNs 700-704 had a more rounded nose and a single rudder. This batch was constructed between September 1916 and January 1917. MNs 1080-1084 had short noses and were constructed between September and November 1917. They saw service from Zeebrugge and other North Sea bases.
  The kuk Kriegsmarine received a single GW (MN 701) in late November 1917 that received the Austro-Hungarian serial T1 (T2 and T3 were Gotha WD.14 biplanes).


Brandenburg GW Production
Marine Numbers Class Delivered Notes
528 T Jan. 1916 Prototype. Triple rudders.
620-624 TMG Aug.-Oct. 1916 Machine gun provided for defence. Revised tailplane, triple rudders.
646-650 TMG Apr.-July 1916 Transition between triple & single rudders in this batch.
700-704 T Nov.1916-Mar.1917 Single rudder. Gunner to rear. 701 to Austro-Hungarian Navy.
1080-1084 T Sept.-Nov. 1917 Revised tailplane, balanced elevators.



German Torpedo Bomber Production
Type Albatros W.5 Gotha WD11 Gotha WD14 Brandenburg GW Friedrichshafen FF41AT
Number 5 17 52* 21 8
* 69 ordered, production was curtailed by the Armistice.
There were a number of prototype torpedo bombers; this table shows only production types. The Albatros W.5 was produced in the smallest quantity of any production type, an indication of its relative merit. The Gotha WD14 received by far the largest orders. It was also the only aircraft in the table powered by 200 hp Benz Bz.IV engines; the others were all underpowered by 150 hp Benz Bz.III engines.



Brandenburg Type GDW

  As the designation shows, the Class T floatplane GDW was a development of the GW designed to carry the heavier 825-kg torpedo, the extra power being supplied by a pair of 220-hp Benz engines. Only a single aircraft, MN 746, was built. The prototype was modified after its acceptance by the SVK as photographs show that the rudder was now an inverted L shape and did not extend below the fuselage. A large triangular fin was fitted. The elevators were now balanced and in two pieces. The SVK drawing shows MN 746 with plain elevators and a large rudder with balance surfaces above and below the fuselage. The machine must have been modified after initial testing. Again a single machine gun provided defence. The pilot and gunner were both situated towards the wing trailing edge, in close proximity for communication. The pilot would have had little view above due to being situated almost completely below the upper wing. The wings were constructed in seven sections, the outer panels being swept back from the engine nacelles.
  It is thought the GDW was utilized for training as no further development took place. Production of such large aircraft in small numbers was typical of the times. Aircraft were constantly evolving and the skilled factory workers could produce a prototype in a relatively short time. Until a machine had flown there was no way of knowing if the design would perform as predicted by the aeronautical engineering science of the day.

E.Hauke, W.Schroeder, B.Totschinger Die Flugzeuge der k.u.k. Luftfahrtruppe und Seeflieger 1914-1918

Kampfflugboote
T 1 Brandenburg GW Dt. Marinenummer 701 2 x Merc 160