Siemens-Schuckert R.V

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[4]

The Siemens-Schuckert R.V was a bomber aircraft built in Germany during World War I.[5][6] 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).[7] 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.[8] 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]

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.[8] 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.[9] The main undercarriage consisted of divided units, each of which carried dual wheels, and the tail was supported by a pair of tailwheels.[8] 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[10] 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]

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:[11]

Additionally, the R.V carried out the following raids together with the R.VI:[11]


Specifications

Data from Kroschel & Stützer 1994, p.141

General characteristics

Performance

Armament


Notes

  1. 1 2 Grey & Thetford 1962, p.572
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.189
  3. 1 2 3 Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.188–89
  4. ↑ Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.180
  5. ↑ Taylor 1989, p.808
  6. ↑ The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft, p.2920
  7. ↑ Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.184
  8. 1 2 3 Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.188
  9. ↑ Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.174
  10. ↑ Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.186–87
  11. 1 2 Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.56

References

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