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

Gotha G IX
   The Gotha G IX was not built by the parent firm, but by L.V.G. Little information is available, and it is doubtful if more than one or two machines were built before the war ended. Engines, two 245 h.p. Maybach Mb IV.

Gotha G X
   Apart from the fact that it was powered with two 180 h p B M W IIIa engines, no details are available of this small twin-engined machine although it is believed to have been intended as a faster photographic and reconnaissance aircraft.

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

Gotha G.IX/GL.IX

   In February 1918 LVG was given a production contract to build 30 Gotha GL.VII reconnaissance airplanes (G.200-229/18) and 70 Gotha G.IX bombers (G.230-299/18). The 260 hp Maybach Mb.IVa was the normal powerplant. Apparently all of the GL.VII(LVG) aircraft were built but no photographs of this version have been found. The G.IX day bomber, given an increased wing-span and length, was equipped to carry five 50 kg PuW bombs under the fuselage. According to a French inspection report, some 96 Gotha G.IX bombers were stored at the LVG factory on 15 December 1918. After the armistice a number of these bombers were given to the Allies. For example, Belgium received 23 G.IX bombers that were flown operationally by the Belgian air service. A Gotha G.IX(LVG) 289/18, delivered to Japan post-war as reparations, was powered by two 260 hp Mercedes D.IVa engines.

Gotha G.IX/GL.IX Specifications
Engines: 2 x 240 hp Maybach Mb.IVa


Gotha G.X/GL.X

   On 16 August 1918, Idflieg ordered three Gotha GL.X prototypes (G.1725-1727/18), each powered by two 185 hp BMW.IIIa engines. Designed by Burkhardt, two GL.X versions were envisioned, one a fast, high-altitude reconnaissance machine and the second an armored ground-attack aircraft fitted with a single, forward-firing 20mm Becker cannon and five fixed machine guns. A gunner had a sixth, flexible machine gun for rear defense. The first two-bay GL.X, a more compact design than the G.IX bomber, was reported ready for flight testing on 1 January 1919, subject to clearance from Gotha management. It is difficult to understand how the same engine and airframe combination was expected to perform well at both extreme high and low altitudes.

Gotha G.X/GL.X Specifications
Engines: 2 x 185 hp BMW.IIIa


Gotha GL-Type Production Summary
Manufacturer Type Qty Serials Notes
LVG G.IX(LVG) 70 230/17-299/18 Bombers. Unknown number, perhaps all, completed.
Gotha G.X 3 1725/18- 1727/18 Prototypes. At least one completed.
Notes: According to a French inspection report 96 Gotha G.IX aircraft were stored at the LVG factory on 15 Dec. 1918. Many of these were transferred to the Allies postwar, especially Belgium.