Caudron Type G
Caudron · France · first flew 1913 · light aircraft
The Caudron G.3 was a French twin-boom tractor biplane that became the standard basic trainer for France and several Allied nations during World War I, with over 2,400 examples produced. Its simple construction, docile handling, and affordable operation made it one of the most widely used training aircraft of the war.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.3 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-boom tractor biplane with central nacelle and open cockpit
- Le Rhône or Anzani rotary engine at front of central nacelle
- Over 2,400 built; primary WWI trainer for France and Allies
Unmistakeable twin-boom biplane with a small central nacelle housing the crew, a tractor rotary engine at the front, and twin tail surfaces at the end of slender booms. The large equal-span wings and absence of a conventional fuselage are defining features.
Specifications
- The Caudron Type G has a length of 7.3 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.9 m (46 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 100 km/h (62 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Introduced in 1913 and entering military service in 1914, the Caudron G.3 served with the Aviation Militaire, Royal Flying Corps, and numerous other Allied air services as a trainer and early reconnaissance aircraft. Its twin-boom configuration with a tractor engine in the central nacelle gave the observer ahead of the wings an excellent view. After the war many G.3s passed into civil use at flying clubs across Europe.
Variants
The G.4 was a twin-engine development; the G.3 itself was produced in several minor sub-variants with different engine fits.
Where you'll see it
Operated by France, Britain, Italy, Belgium, Russia, and the United States in military roles during World War I; extensively used post-war in civil aviation.
Related aircraft
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