| R.V | |
|---|---|
| Role | Bomber |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Siemens-Schuckert |
| Designer | Bruno and Franz Steffen[1] |
| First flight | c. June 1916[2] |
| Number built | 1[3] |
| Developed from | Siemens-Schuckert R.I |
The Siemens-Schuckert R.V was a bomber aircraft built in Germany during World War I.[4][5] It was one of six aircraft based on the Siemens-Schuckert R.I that were originally intended to be identical, but which each developed in a different direction and were designated as different aircraft types by the German Inspectorate of Flying Troops (the Idflieg).[6] Development of the R.V 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.V was spared from the troublesome Maybach HS engine.[7] Between September 1916 and February 1917, the aircraft saw service on the Eastern Front before it was damaged in an accident and dismantled for spare parts.[3]
As designed, the R.V 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.V, which was almost complete by then.[3] The substitution required an almost complete rebuild of the aircraft, and included adding an extra bay to the wings, increasing their span.[2] The Idflieg accepted the R.V in this form, after agreeing to a reduction in the aircraft's original specifications.[2]
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.[6]
Siemens-Schuckert delivered the R.V to the Riesenflugzeugersatzabteilung (Rea — "giant aircraft support unit") at Döberitz on 13 August 1916.[2] From there, it was assigned to Riesenflugzeugabteilung 501 (Rfa 501), and joined the squadron at Vilna on 3 September.[2] It was used operationally until the week of 14 February 1917, when the aircraft was severely damaged during a hard landing at night that fractured its fuselage.[2] The R.V was then dismantled and sent back to Döberitz where it could be used for spare parts for other Siemens-Schuckert bombers.[2]
Specific details of several operational missions while with Rfa 501 have survived:[10]
Additionally, the R.V carried out the following raids together with the R.VI:[10]
Data from Kroschel & Stützer 1994, p.141
General characteristics
Performance
Armament