Gotha G.II
Gotha · German Empire · first flew 1916 · bomber
The Gotha G.II was an early German twin-engine biplane bomber of World War I, designed for strategic bombing missions. It served as a stepping stone in the Gotha lineage that would go on to bomb England.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.2 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine pusher-tractor biplane bomber
- Crew nacelle slung between wings
- Early German strategic bomber lineage
A large three-bay biplane with two pusher-configuration engines mounted in nacelles between the wings and a prominent crew nacelle at the nose.
Specifications
- The Gotha G.II has a length of 12.2 m (40 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 23.7 m (78 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 135 km/h (84 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service in 1916, the G.II was an improved derivative of the G.I, featuring more powerful engines and refined aerodynamics. It was deployed on the Western Front and used for long-range bombing raids before being superseded by the G.IV. Production was limited compared to later marks.
Variants
The G.II preceded the G.III and the more famous G.IV; the series progressively improved payload, range, and engine output with each mark.
Where you'll see it
Operated exclusively by the German Luftstreitkräfte on the Western and Eastern Fronts during World War I.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.