Siemens-Schuckert R.V

The Siemens-Schuckert R.V was a bomber aircraft built in Germany during World War I.[4][5] It was one of six aircraft based on the Siemens-Schuckert R.I that were originally intended to be identical, but which each developed in a different direction and were designated as different aircraft types by the German Inspectorate of Flying Troops (the Idflieg).[6] Development of the R.V benefited from the experience that Siemens-Schuckert and the Idflieg had gained with the R.II, R.III, and R.IV, particularly in its choice of powerplants, where the R.V was spared from the troublesome Maybach HS engine.[7] Between September 1916 and February 1917, the aircraft saw service on the Eastern Front before it was damaged in an accident and dismantled for spare parts.[3]

R.V
Role Bomber
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Siemens-Schuckert
Designer Bruno and Franz Steffen[1]
First flight c. June 1916[2]
Number built 1[3]
Developed from Siemens-Schuckert R.I

Design and development

As designed, the R.V was a large three-bay biplane with unstaggered wings of unequal span and a fully enclosed cabin.[7] Three 180-kW (240-hp) Maybach HS engines were mounted internally in the fuselage, and transmitted their power via driveshafts to two propellers mounted tractor-fashion on the interplane struts nearest the fuselage.[8] The main undercarriage consisted of divided units, each of which carried dual wheels, and the tail was supported by a pair of tailwheels.[7] The fuselage was forked into an upper and lower section, which allowed a clear field of fire to the rear of the aircraft.[1] The Maybach engines had been a never-ending source of trouble on the R.II, R.III, and R.IV, and by June 1916, Siemens-Schuckert had obtained permission from the Idflieg to substitute Benz Bz.IV engines on the R.III[9] The firm made the same change on the R.V, which was almost complete by then.[3] The substitution required an almost complete rebuild of the aircraft, and included adding an extra bay to the wings, increasing their span.[2] The Idflieg accepted the R.V in this form, after agreeing to a reduction in the aircraft's original specifications.[2]

The Siemens-Schuckert R.II to R.VII were ordered in the G (Grossflugzeug - large aircraft) series and given serial numbers G.32/15 to G.37/15 respectively. These serials were changed on 13 July 1915 to G.33/15 - G.38/15, for unknown reasons and again on 6 November 1915 to R.2/15 - R.7/15 in the R (Riesenflugzeug - giant aircraft) series, adopting the R.II to R.VII designations.[6]

Operational history

Siemens-Schuckert delivered the R.V to the Riesenflugzeugersatzabteilung (Rea — "giant aircraft support unit") at Döberitz on 13 August 1916.[2] From there, it was assigned to Riesenflugzeugabteilung 501 (Rfa 501), and joined the squadron at Vilna on 3 September.[2] It was used operationally until the week of 14 February 1917, when the aircraft was severely damaged during a hard landing at night that fractured its fuselage.[2] The R.V was then dismantled and sent back to Döberitz where it could be used for spare parts for other Siemens-Schuckert bombers.[2]

Specific details of several operational missions while with Rfa 501 have survived:[10]

  • 14–15 October 1916 — railway station at Wileyka
  • 26 November 1916 — troop camp at Iza
  • 7 January 1917 — railway station at Poloczany

Additionally, the R.V carried out the following raids together with the R.VI:[10]

  • 19 January 1917 — troop camp at Iza
  • 30 January 1917 — railway station at Wileyka
  • 8 February 1917 — railway station at Molodeczne
  • 12 February 1917 — railway station at Zalesie


Specifications

Data from Kroschel & Stützer 1994, p.141

General characteristics

  • Crew: 4
  • Length: 17.7 m (58 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan: 34.33 m (112 ft 8 in)
  • Height: 4.6 m (15 ft 8 in)
  • Wing area: 177 m2 (1,910 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 5,300 kg (11,600 lb)
  • Gross weight: 6,766 kg (14,885 lb)
  • Powerplant: 3 × Benz Bz.IV , 150 kW (200 hp) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 132 km/h (83 mph, 72 kn)
  • Range: 480 km (300 mi, 260 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,800 ft)

Armament

  • 3 × 7.9-mm machine guns
  • 500 kg of bombs

Notes
  1. Grey & Thetford 1962, p.572
  2. Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.189
  3. Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.188–89
  4. Taylor 1989, p.808
  5. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft, p.2920
  6. Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.184
  7. Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.188
  8. Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.174
  9. Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.186–87
  10. Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.56

References
  • Gray, Peter; Owen Thetford (1962). German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam.
  • Haddow, G.W.; Peter M. Grosz (1962). The German Giants: The Story of the R-planes 1914–1919. London: Putnam.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing.
  • Kroschel, Günter; Helmut Stützer (1994). Die Deutschen Militärflugzeuge 1910–1918. Herford: Mittler.
  • Taylor, Michael J.H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
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