Gotha WD 5
Gotha · Germany · first flew 1915 · light aircraft
The Gotha WD 5 was an early German World War I biplane seaplane designed for coastal patrol and reconnaissance with the Imperial German Navy. It represented the early development of the Gotha WD maritime patrol series.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.35 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Early WWI German single-engine biplane seaplane
- Twin-float undercarriage with strut-braced biplane wings
- Open tandem cockpits for pilot and observer
A biplane seaplane with twin floats, open cockpits, and a single tractor engine; difficult to distinguish from the WD 9 without close inspection of dimensions and engine installation details.
Specifications
- The Gotha WD 5 has a length of 10.35 m (34 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 110 km/h (68 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Appearing in 1915, the WD 5 was among the earlier Gotha seaplane designs and served in the North Sea and Baltic theatres. Like other early war seaplanes, it was soon outclassed by more capable types but helped establish operational patterns for German naval aviation.
Variants
Part of the Gotha WD series alongside the WD 1, WD 9, and WD 15.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Kaiserliche Marine for coastal patrol in 1915-1916.
Related aircraft
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