Summary
The Gotha WD.27 (for (Wasser Doppeldecker - "Water Biplane")) was a long-range maritime patrol floatplane developed during World War I by Gothaer Waggonfabrik (Gotha) for the Imperial German Navy's (Kaiserliche Marine) Naval Air Service (Marine-Fliegerabteilung). It was a large, four-engine aircraft with the same general layout as the WD.22; a conventional floatplane with engines grouped in tractor-pusher pairs on the lower wings. Contemporary records show three German Navy serial numbers allocated to the type, but only one of these may have been flown.
| WD.27 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Long-range maritime patrol aircraft |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Gothaer Waggonfabrik |
| Number built | 1–3 prototypes |
Specifications edit
Data from Gotha Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes;[1] German Aircraft of the First World War; [2] Marine Aircraft of the 1914–1918 War[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 4
- Length: 17.6 m (57 ft 9 in)
- Upper wingspan: 34 m (111 ft 7 in)
- Lower wingspan: 31 m (101 ft 8 in)
- Height: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 197 m2 (2,120 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 4,700 kg (10,362 lb)
- Gross weight: 6,860 kg (15,124 lb)
- Powerplant: 4 × Mercedes D.IIIa water-cooled straight-six engines, 130 kW (175 hp) each
- Propellers: 2-bladed
Performance
- Maximum speed: 135 km/h (84 mph, 73 kn)
- Range: 1,110 km (690 mi, 600 nmi)
- Time to altitude: 15 minutes to 1,000 m (3,300 ft)
Armament
- Guns: 2 x 7.92 mm (0.312 in) Parabellum MG 14
References edit
Bibliography edit
- Gray, Peter & Thetford, Owen (1987) [1970]. German Aircraft of the First World War (2nd ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-809-7.
- Herris, Jack (2013). Gotha Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes. Great War Aviation Centennial Series. Vol. 6. Charleston, South Carolina: Aeronaut Books. ISBN 978-1-935881-14-8.
- Metzmacher, Andreas (2021). Gotha Aircraft 1913–1954: From the London Bomber to the Flying Wing Jet Fighter. Brimscombe, UK: Fonthill. ISBN 978-1-78155-706-8.
- Nowarra, Heinz J.; Robertson, Bruce & Cooksley, Peter G. (1966). Marine Aircraft of the 1914–1918 War. Letchworth, UK: Harleyford Publications. OCLC 123198808.