Martinsyde G.100 Elephant
Martinsyde · United Kingdom · first flew 1915 · bomber
The Martinsyde G.100 Elephant was a British single-seat biplane of World War I, designed as a long-range escort fighter but employed primarily as a light bomber due to its relatively large size and load-carrying ability.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.08 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- WWI British single-engine biplane used as long-range escort and light bomber
- Nicknamed 'Elephant' for its large size relative to contemporary fighters
- Served on the Western Front and in Mesopotamia and Palestine
A large, sturdy single-engine biplane with equal-span wings, a rotary or inline engine, and a somewhat bulky fuselage that earned it the 'Elephant' nickname.
Specifications
- The Martinsyde G.100 Elephant has a length of 8.08 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.58 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 154 km/h (96 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1915, the Elephant entered RFC service in 1916 on the Western Front. Despite reasonable performance for the period, it proved outmatched as a fighter against more agile German opponents and transitioned to the bombing and ground-attack role.
Variants
The G.100 was followed by the G.102 with a more powerful Beardmore engine; both marks served operationally.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Royal Flying Corps on the Western Front and in secondary theatres including Mesopotamia and Palestine during 1916–1918.
Related aircraft
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