Gotha G.IX

Gotha · Germany · first flew 1918 · bomber

The Gotha G.IX was a World War I German twin-engine heavy bomber, a late-war development of the famous Gotha G series that had bombed London. It appeared near the end of the war and saw very limited use.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — WingsMid-mounted, straight
E — Engines2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage9.79 m fuselage
T — TailTwin fin

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

A large biplane bomber with twin engines (often pusher configuration), biplane tail with twin booms, and the distinctive Gotha 'tunnel' in the lower fuselage allowing a gunner to cover the rear lower arc.

Specifications

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

History

The G.IX was developed in 1918 as an improved variant of the Gotha G.V bomber, incorporating lessons from operational experience. The type arrived too late to see significant service before the Armistice. Like all Gotha heavy bombers, it featured the characteristic biplane layout with twin pusher engines and twin tail booms.

Variants

The Gotha G series ran from G.I through G.X; the G.IX was one of the final development stages.

Where you'll see it

Saw very limited operational service before the end of World War I in November 1918.

Related aircraft

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