Linke-Hofmann R.I and successor aircraft

The Linke-Hofmann R.I was an attempt by the company Linke Hofmann to develop a heavy bomber for the German Army Command, which met the requirements to replace the outdated Zeppelins.

 

Development and construction:

Since 1916, the company Linke Hofmann built licensed aircraft from the companies Albatros and Roland. Under the direction of Chief Engineer Paul Stumpf, however, soon began work on a heavy bomber, which should replace the Zeppelins for strategic bombing after the demands of the German army command.

In the first prototype of the R.I, the space between the upper and lower wings was completely covered by the pulpit. As with the other heavy bombers, the engines were also inside the fuselage in order to carry out maintenance and repair work during the flight. The propellers were between the two wings, where there were not four separate propellers as usual, but two double propellers. These acted simultaneously as a train and pressure propeller.

In the R.I, the hull was initially covered with a transparent Cellon cover, which should make the detection of the bomber difficult. However, since the substance reflected the sun's rays and expanded with temperature fluctuations, this was replaced in the second prototype against the rhombus camouflage substance. The hull was divided into three sections. The upper one served the pilot and the radio telegraph, the middle one housed the engines and the lower sections housed the tanks and the bomb mounts.

However, the flight characteristics of the R.I were difficult, especially due to the poor visibility down, landings were dangerous. The strong vibrations also had a negative effect.

 

 

In the case of the Linke-Hofmann R.II, the designers oriented themselves on the Albatros fighter aircraft. One of these aircraft was almost completely rebuilt with a threefold size. The four engines were also integrated back in the fuselage and propelled the only propeller, which had a diameter of 6.9 meters. The flight characteristics compared to the R.I could be significantly improved, but due to the end of the war, the two prototypes could not be completed.

 

 

 

 

Use in the First World War:

The first Linke-Hofmann R.I was assigned to the Giant Airplane Division 500. During the flight from the Halberstadt airfield, however, the plane crashed shortly after the start and was completely destroyed.

From a use of the second R.I nothing is known. However, after the crash of the first R.I the aircraft would most likely not have been delivered to the front.

The two R.II aircraft could not be completed until the capitulation. For this reason, the first flight did not take place until 1919. Plans to convert the two aircraft into passenger aircraft were stopped by the provisions of the Versailles Treaty and both had to be destroyed.

 

 

 

Technical specifications:

Designation:	Linke-Hofmann R.I
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Bomber
Length:	15,56 meters
Span:	32,02 meters
Height:	6,78 meters
Mass:	5800 kg empty
Crew:	Max. 6
Engine:	four water-cooled eight-cylinder in-line engines Mercedes D.IVa with each 260 hp
Maximum speed:	130 km/h
Reach:	unknown
Armament:	4 x 7,92 mm Parabellum LMG 08/15 machine guns and up to 1000 kg bombs

 

 

 

Designation:	Linke-Hofmann R.II
Country:	German Empire
Typ:	Bomber
Length:	20,33 meters
Span:	42,16 meters
Height:	6,7 meters
Mass:	8000 kg empty
Crew:	Max. 6
Motor:	four water-cooled eight-cylinder in-line engines Mercedes D.IVa with each 260 hp
Maximum speed:	130 km/h
Reach:	1040 kilometers
Armament:	4 x 7,92 mm Parabellum LMG 08/15 machine guns, bomb load unknown

 

 

 

 

 

You can find the right literature here:

 

Fokker Dr I Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

Undoubtedly the most famous fighter type to see service on either side during World War 1, the Fokker Dr I was a revelation when it entered service on the western front in 1917. Manfred von Richthofen’s JG 1 ‘circus’ was the first Jasta to completely re-equip with the new fighter, and in the skilled hands of its numerous aces the Dr I proved a formidable opponent. The Dr I remained in service on the Western Front until replaced by the superior Fokker D VII in May 1918. Just weeks prior to that, however, Germany’s leading ace, the great ‘Red Baron’, had been killed at the controls of a Dr I.

Click here!

 

 

Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes (Great War Aviation) (Volume 21)

This book describes and illustrates the development of Friedrichshafen aircraft of WWI with text, 540 photos, 18 in color, 37 color profiles, production quantities and serial numbers of aircraft, and aircraft dimensions and performance specifications. In addition, there are 26 official SVK drawings and 11 aircraft are illustrated in scale drawings to 1/48 (4) or 1/72 (7) scales. The book has 312 pages and is of interest to aviation historians, enthusiasts, and modelers alike.

Click here!

 

 

German and Austro-Hungarian Aircraft Manufacturers 1908-1918

Much has been written about the British aircraft of the First World War, but little has surfaced about the aircraft of the Axis powers, Germany and Austria. Here, Terry C. Treadwell tells the story of the aircraft from companies such as Fokker, builder of the famous triplane, as fl own by Baron von Richthofen's Flying Circus, AEG, Albatros, Junkers and Hansa. From reconnaissance aircraft to state-of-the-art bombers that could reach London, this is the definitive guide to aircraft of the Axis powers during the First World War. The aircraft are explained in detail and a history of each company is provided, making this an excellent source book for aircraft enthusiasts, model makers and those interested in the air war over the trenches of France and Belgium, as well as further afield in the Italian campaign.

Click here!

 

 

The Zeppelin in Combat: A History of the German Naval Airship Division

The standard reference now revised and expanded. Dr. Robinson has opened up his vast photo archives to enhance this new edition of his classic work. Much of the new photographic material is published here for the first time.

Click here!

 

 

 

 

 

This post is also available in: Deutsch (German) Français (French) Italiano (Italian) 简体中文 (Chinese (Simplified)) Русский (Russian) Español (Spanish) العربية (Arabic)