During the First World War, the Siemens Schuckert Werke built one aircraft of each type, from the Siemens Schuckert R.I to the Siemens Schuckert R.VIII, but only six of them were brought to the front and used there.
Development and construction:
As early as 1914, the first heavy aircraft was built in the Siemens-Schuckert-Werke company, with the designers based on the Russian Sikorsky Ilja Muromez. The big drawback to the prototype was the weak 110 hp engines that were not sufficient for such large aircraft. In 1915, at least two of the engines were replaced by 220 hp strong, but the speed could only be increased by 5 km / h.
Based on the first prototype, the constructors brothers Steffen developed the prototype of the Siemens Schuckert R.I. However, this had only three Benz Bz III engines with 150 hp also had the aircraft in the rear of the fuselage two superimposed tail boom. The first flight took place on May 24, 1915.
Following the delivery of the R.I to the front, the R.II and R.III were subsequently built, which had more powerful engines and larger wings. These two aircraft were not intended for the front but should serve for the training of pilots.
The other models from the Siemens Schuckert R.IV to the Siemens Schuckert R.VII had only changes to the engine and the wings, but otherwise remained quite similar.
Siemens-Schuckert R.VI
Siemens-Schuckert R.VI
The Siemens Schuckert R.VIII, which had begun at the end of the war and would have become the largest aircraft of the war with six engines, could no longer be completed due to the capitulation.
Siemens-Schuckert R.VIII
Use in the First World War:
Except for the Siemens Schuckert R.II and R.III, which were used only for training, the other aircraft were brought to the front in the Balkans and used there.
All aircraft remained there until the end of the war.
Technical specifications:
| Designation: | Siemens-Schuckert R.I |
| Country: | German Empire |
| Typ: | Bomber |
| Length: | 17,5 meters |
| Span: | 28 meters |
| Height: | 5,2 meters |
| Mass: | 4000 kg empty |
| Crew: | Max. 6 |
| Engine: | three water-cooled 6-cylinder in-line engines Benz Bz III with each 150 hp |
| Maximum speed: | 128 km/h |
| Reach: | 520 kilometers |
| Armament: | 1 x 7,92 mm Parabellum LMG 08/15 machine gun and up to 500 kg bombs |
| Designation: | Siemens-Schuckert R.II |
| Country: | German Empire |
| Typ: | Bomber |
| Length: | 16,5 meters |
| Span: | 33 meters |
| Height: | 5,2 meters |
| Mass: | 5350 kg empty |
| Crew: | Max. 6 |
| Engine: | three water-cooled 6-cylinder inline engines Mercedes D IVa with each 260 hp |
| Maximum speed: | 130 km/h |
| Reach: | 520 kilometers |
| Armament: | 1 x 7,92 mm Parabellum LMG 08/15 machine gun and up to 500 kg bombs |
| Designation: | Siemens-Schuckert R.III |
| Country: | German Empire |
| Typ: | Bomber |
| Length: | 17,7 meters |
| Span: | 34,33 meters |
| Height: | 4,6 meters |
| Mass: | 5400 kg empty |
| Crew: | Max. 4 |
| Engine: | three water-cooled 6-cylinder inline engines Benz Bz IV with each 220 hp |
| Maximum speed: | 132 km/h |
| Reach: | 520 kilometers |
| Armament: | 3 x 7,92 mm Parabellum LMG 08/15 machine guns and up to 500 kg bombs |
| Designation: | Siemens-Schuckert R.IV |
| Country: | German Empire |
| Typ: | Bomber |
| Length: | 17,7 meters |
| Span: | 34,33 meters |
| Height: | 4,6 meters |
| Mass: | 5450 kg empty |
| Crew: | Max. 4 |
| Engine: | three water-cooled 6-cylinder inline engines Benz Bz IV with each 220 hp |
| Maximum speed: | 132 km/h |
| Reach: | 500 kilometers |
| Armament: | 3 x 7,92 mm Parabellum LMG 08/15 machine guns and up to 500 kg bombs |
| Designation: | Siemens-Schuckert R.V und VI |
| Country: | German Empire |
| Typ: | Bomber |
| Length: | 17,7 meters |
| Span: | 34,33 meters |
| Height: | 4,6 meters |
| Mass: | 5400 kg empty |
| Crew: | Max. 4 |
| Engine: | three water-cooled 6-cylinder inline engines Benz Bz IV with each 220 hp |
| Maximum speed: | 132 km/h |
| Reach: | 520 kilometers |
| Armament: | 3 x 7,92 mm Parabellum LMG 08/15 machine guns and up to 500 kg bombs |
| Designation: | Siemens-Schuckert R.VII |
| Country: | German Empire |
| Typ: | Bomber |
| Length: | 17,5 meters |
| Span: | 38,4 meters |
| Height: | 4,6 meters |
| Mass: | 5700 kg empty |
| Crew: | Max. 4 |
| Engine: | three water-cooled 6-cylinder inline engines Mercedes D IVai with each 260 hp |
| Maximum speed: | 130 km/h |
| Reach: | 520 kilometers |
| Armament: | 3 x 7,92 mm Parabellum LMG 08/15 machine guns and up to 500 kg bombs |
| Designation: | Siemens-Schuckert R.VIII |
| Country: | German Empire |
| Typ: | Bomber |
| Length: | 21,6 meters |
| Span: | 48 meters |
| Height: | 7,4 meters |
| Mass: | 10500 kg empty |
| Crew: | Max. 7 |
| Engine: | six water-cooled 6-cylinder in-line engines Basse & Selve BuS IVa with each 300 hp |
| Maximum speed: | 125 km/h |
| Reach: | 920 kilometers |
| Armament: | 6 x 7,92 mm Parabellum LMG 08/15 machine guns and up to 800 kg bombs |
You can find the right literature here:
Fokker Dr I Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)
Fokker Dr I Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces) Paperback – Bargain Price, August 25, 2001
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 Richthofens 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, Germanys leading ace, the great Red Baron, had been killed at the controls of a Dr I.
Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes (Great War Aviation) (Volume 21)
Friedrichshafen Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes (Great War Aviation) (Volume 21) Paperback – February 16, 2016
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.
German and Austro-Hungarian Aircraft Manufacturers 1908-1918
German and Austro-Hungarian Aircraft Manufacturers 1908-1918 Paperback – December 15, 2010
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.
The Zeppelin in Combat: A History of the German Naval Airship Division
The Zeppelin in Combat: A History of the German Naval Airship Division Hardcover – January 9, 1997
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.
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