Siemens-Schuckert R.IV
Siemens-Schuckert · Germany · first flew 1916 · bomber
The Siemens-Schuckert R.IV was the largest-wingspan member of the Siemens-Schuckert Riesenflugzeug series, its 37.6 m biplane wings giving it greater lifting capacity than its sibling marks. The aircraft exemplified the ambition and technical difficulty of WWI giant bomber development in Germany.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 3 × piston, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Three-engine Riesenflugzeug with engines buried in the fuselage driving wing propellers via shafts |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Three-engine Riesenflugzeug with engines buried in the fuselage driving wing propellers via shafts
- Biplane configuration with engines buried between the wings
- Slow but enormous strategic bomber silhouette
The widest biplane in the Siemens-Schuckert R series at 37.6 m, a full 3 m broader than the R.III; the longer fuselage (18 m vs 17.7 m) also distinguishes it on close inspection.
Specifications
- The Siemens-Schuckert R.IV has a length of 18 m (59 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 37.6 m (123 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 130 km/h (81 mph).
- Typical crew: 7–9.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1916, the R.IV expanded on the R.III configuration with a significantly wider wing. The Siemens-Schuckert R-series collectively pushed the boundaries of what was technically achievable in WWI-era heavy aircraft construction. Only single or very small numbers of each mark were completed.
Variants
The R.IV is a distinct mark within the series; no separate sub-variants are recorded.
Where you'll see it
Like its siblings, the R.IV saw very limited operational use, with developmental and reliability challenges preventing large-scale deployment.
Related aircraft
- Siemens-Schuckert D.I
- Siemens-Schuckert R.V
- Siemens-Schuckert R.VI
- Siemens-Schuckert D.III
- AEG G.IV
- AEG R.I
- Airco DH.3
- Airco DH.4
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.