Gotha WD.7

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WD.7 and WD.8
Gotha WD.7 674.jpg
Role torpedo-bomber trainer and reconnaissance
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Gotha
First flight December 1915
Primary user Imperial German Navy
Number built 8 x WD.7 ; 1 x WD.8

The Gotha WD.7 (for Wasser Doppeldecker - "Water Biplane") was a reconnaissance floatplane developed in the German Empire during World War I.

Development[]

Gotha WD.8

After the pusher WD.3 was not accepted by the Imperial German Navy, Gotha turned to a new layout that would keep the aircraft's nose free for forward-firing weapons. The WD.7 therefore, was a conventional biplane with twin engines mounted tractor-fashion on the leading edge of the lower wing. Eight examples were built for use as trainers for torpedo bombing. During 1917, two of these aircraft were used for testing a 37 mm (1.46 in) autocannon built by DWM.

The same airframe was used to create the WD.8 reconnaissance floatplane, substituting the twin wing-mounted engines with a single Maybach Mb.IVa in the nose.

Variants[]

WD.7
twin-engine torpedo bomber trainer floatplane, powered by two 120 hp (89 kW) Mercedes D.II.[1]
WD.8
single-engine reconnaissance floatplane, powered by a 240 hp (180 kW) Maybach Mb.IV.[1]

Specifications (WD.7)[]

Gotha WD.7 3-view drawing from Aviation and Aeronautical Engineering September 15,1916

Data from German Aircraft of the First World War[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3
  • Length: 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in)
WD.8: 11.2 m (37 ft)
  • Wingspan: 16 m (52 ft 6 in)
  • Height: 3.585 m (11 ft 9 in)
  • Wing area: 55.5 m2 (597 sq ft)
WD.8: 59 m2 (640 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,440 kg (3,175 lb)
WD.8: 1,250 kg (2,760 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,970 kg (4,343 lb)
WD.8: 1,770 kg (3,900 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Mercedes D.II 6-cylinder water-cooled in-line pistone engines, 89 kW (120 hp) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 136 km/h (85 mph, 73 kn)
WD.8: 130 km/h (81 mph; 70 kn)
  • Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)
WD.8: 4,500 m (14,800 ft)

Armament

  • Guns: WD.8: 7.92 mm (0.312 in) Parabellum MG 14 machine gun in the rear cockpit
  • Bombs: WD.7: 1 x training torpedo

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Gray, Peter; Thetford, Owen (1970). German Aircraft of the First World War (2nd ed.). London: Putnam. p. 400. ISBN 0-370-00103-6.

Further reading[]

  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 428.
  • World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 895 Sheet 09.
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