The Siemens-Schuckert R.VI was a bomber aircraft built in Germany during World War I.[3][4] It was one of six aircraft based on the Siemens-Schuckert R.I, which were originally intended to be identical. Each developed in a different direction and were designated as different aircraft types by the German Inspectorate of Flying Troops (the Idflieg).[5]
| R.VI | |
|---|---|
| |
| The R.VI after a forced landing | |
| Role | Bomber |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Siemens-Schuckert |
| Designer | Bruno and Franz Steffen[1] |
| First flight | c. April 1916[2] |
| Number built | 1[2] |
| Developed from | Siemens-Schuckert R.I |
Development of the R.VI benefited from the experience that Siemens-Schuckert and the Idflieg had gained with the R.II, R.III, and R.IV, particularly in its choice of powerplants, where the R.VI was spared from the troublesome Maybach HS engine.[2] The R.VI was the first of the Siemens-Schuckert R-type aircraft to reach service,[2] and saw service on the Eastern Front between July 1916 and November 1917, before it was declared obsolete and dismantled.[6]
Design and development edit
As designed, the R.VI was a large three-bay biplane with unstaggered wings of unequal span and a fully enclosed cabin.[7] Three 180-kW (240-hp) Maybach HS engines were mounted internally in the fuselage, and transmitted their power via driveshafts to two propellers mounted tractor-fashion on the interplane struts nearest the fuselage.[8] The main undercarriage consisted of divided units, each of which carried dual wheels, and the tail was supported by a pair of tailwheels.[7] The fuselage was forked into an upper and lower section, which allowed a clear field of fire to the rear of the aircraft.[1]
The Maybach engines had been a never-ending source of trouble on the R.II, R.III, and R.IV, and by June 1916, Siemens-Schuckert had obtained permission from the Idflieg to substitute Benz Bz.IV engines on the R.III[9] The firm made the same change on the R.VI, which was under construction at the time.[2] The fuselage was modified to accommodate the new powerplant, and an extra bay was added to the wings, increasing their span.[2] Upon completion, designer Bruno Steffen piloted the R.VI on a test flight in which the aircraft carried a 2,400-kg (5,300-lb) load for six hours,[2] a world record at the time, but one which was never publicised due to the war.[2]
Despite this remarkable flight, the R.VI did not meet the specifications issued by the Idflieg in its contract with Siemens-Schuckert. Therefore, the Idflieg opted to relax the original specifications somewhat and complete the purchase of the aircraft.[10]
The Siemens-Schuckert R.II to R.VII were ordered in the G (Grossflugzeug - large aircraft) series and given serial numbers G.32/15 to G.37/15 respectively. These serials were changed on 13 July 1915 to G.33/15 - G.38/15, for unknown reasons and again on 6 November 1915 to R.2/15 - R.7/15 in the R (Riesenflugzeug - giant aircraft) series, adopting the R.II to R.VII designations.[5]
Operational history edit
Siemens-Schuckert delivered the R.VI to the Riesenflugzeugersatzabteilung (Rea — "giant aircraft support unit") at Döberitz on 20 July 1916.[10] From there, it was assigned to Riesenflugzeugabteilung 501 (Rfa 501), and joined the squadron at Vilna on 7 August.[10] It operated there until it was dismantled as obsolete in November 1917.[6]
Specific details of several operational missions while with Rfa 501 have survived:[11]
- 3 September 1916 — railway station at Molodeczne
- 4 September 1916 — unknown target
Additionally, the R.VI carried out the following raids together with the R.V:[11]
- 19 January 1917 — troop camp at Iza
- 30 January 1917 — railway station at Wileyka
- 8 February 1917 — railway station at Molodeczne
- 12 February 1917 — railway station at Zalesie
together with the R.VII:[11]
- 2 March 1917 — railway stations at Zalesie and Molodeczne
- 7 March 1917 — railway stations at Wileyka and Molodeczne
- 16 March 1917 — troop camp at Iza
and together with the R.IV and R.VII:[11]
Specifications edit
Data from Kroschel & Stützer 1994, p.141
General characteristics
- Crew: 4
- Length: 17.7 m (58 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 33.36 m (109 ft 6 in)
- Height: 4.6 m (15 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 177 m2 (1,910 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 5,250 kg (11,550 lb)
- Gross weight: 6,660 kg (14,650 lb)
- Powerplant: 3 × Benz Bz.IV , 150 kW (200 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 132 km/h (83 mph, 72 kn)
- Range: 720 km (450 mi, 390 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 2,950 m (19,400 ft)
Armament
- 3 × 7.9-mm machine guns
- 500 kg of bombs
Notes edit
- ^ a b Grey & Thetford 1962, p.572
- ^ a b c d e f g h Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.190
- ^ Taylor 1989, p.808
- ^ The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft, p.2920
- ^ a b Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.184
- ^ a b Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.194
- ^ a b Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.175
- ^ Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.174
- ^ Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.186–87
- ^ a b c Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.192
- ^ a b c d Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.56
References edit
- Gray, Peter; Owen Thetford (1962). German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam.
- Haddow, G.W.; Peter M. Grosz (1962). The German Giants: The Story of the R-planes 1914–1919. London: Putnam.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing.
- Kroschel, Günter; Helmut Stützer (1994). Die Deutschen Militärflugzeuge 1910–1918. Herford: Mittler.
- Taylor, Michael J.H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.