Friedrichshafen G.I

Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen · Germany · first flew 1915 · bomber

The Friedrichshafen G.I was Germany's first purpose-built twin-engine bomber, entering service in 1915 and establishing the G-series line that would ultimately produce the more capable G.III used in raids on England. It represented an early attempt to build a strategic bombing platform.

Recognition (WEFT)

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Spot it by:

• WWI twin-engine German biplane bomber with pusher-puller arrangement
• Large biplane with engines in nacelles between the wings
• First of the Friedrichshafen G-series of heavy bombers

A large twin-engine biplane with engines housed in interplane nacelles, a nose gunner position, and a deep rectangular-section fuselage typical of WWI German bombers.

Specifications

• The Friedrichshafen G.I has a length of 11.9 m (39 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 21.2 m (70 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 136 km/h (85 mph).
• Typical crew: 3.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed on Lake Constance by Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen, the G.I was ordered by the German Army Air Service as a dedicated bomber. It was underpowered for true strategic work but laid the groundwork for successive improvements in the G.II and G.III.

Variants

The G.I was succeeded by the G.II and the well-known G.III; the series represented a continuous development of the twin-engine bomber concept.

Where you'll see it

Used by the German Army Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte) on the Western and Eastern Fronts in 1915–16 before being replaced by improved marks.

Related aircraft

• Friedrichshafen FF.31
• Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen FF.43
• Friedrichshafen FF.17
• Friedrichshafen FF.29
• AEG G.I
• Caudron G.4
• Caudron R.4
• Halberstadt G.I

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