The Siemens-Schuckert R.III was a prototype bomber aircraft built in Germany during World War I.[3][4] 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).[5] The aircraft's development was impeded by the unreliability of its Maybach HS engines,[2] and when it was eventually accepted for military service, it was only in a training role.[2][3][6]
As designed, the R.III was a large three-bay biplane with unstaggered wings of unequal span[7] and a fully enclosed cabin. Power was to be supplied by three 180-kW (240-hp) Maybach HS engines mounted internally in the fuselage, which 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.[2] 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 R.III was delivered to Döberitz for military service on 30 December 1915.[2] Problems with the engines began almost immediately, and numerous modifications to the engines and their cooling systems were carried out in the field.[2] Despite the modifications, engine problems were probably responsible when the R.III crashed in early 1916.[2] New wings were fitted to the aircraft to replace those damaged in the crash, but further attempts to fly the R.III were again hampered by its engines, and the aircraft was returned to Siemens-Schuckert.[2] In June, the firm requested permission from the Idflieg to replace the troublesome engines with Benz Bz.IV engines, but was told to place the R.III in storage instead.[2]
Work on the R.III commenced again in October 1916, when a number of improvements based on field experience with the R.V and R.VI were incorporated into the aircraft. These included: reinforcement of the tail, engine and gearbox thermometers, lighting in the engine room, and covers for the radiators that could be extended in flight.[2] The wing was extended both in span and in chord.[2] By this time, the Idflieg had relaxed its specifications for the R-types ordered from Siemens-Schuckert,[9] and with the Benz engines fitted, the R.III was able to meet the lowered standard.[2] Siemens-Schuckert delivered the refurbished aircraft to Riesenflugzeugersatzabteilung (Rea — "giant aircraft support unit") on 12 December 1916 and it was accepted into service on 21 December.[2] In its modified form, the aircraft was of no use on the front line, but was used for training instead,[2][3][6] a role in which it was still serving in February 1918.[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.[5]
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.
March 08, 2023
siemens, schuckert, prototype, bomber, aircraft, built, germany, during, world, aircraft, based, siemens, schuckert, that, were, originally, intended, identical, which, each, developed, different, direction, were, designated, different, aircraft, types, german. The Siemens Schuckert R III was a prototype bomber aircraft built in Germany during World War I 3 4 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 5 The aircraft s development was impeded by the unreliability of its Maybach HS engines 2 and when it was eventually accepted for military service it was only in a training role 2 3 6 R IIIRole BomberNational origin GermanyManufacturer Siemens SchuckertDesigner Bruno and Franz Steffen 1 First flight late 1915 2 Number built 1 2 Developed from Siemens Schuckert R IAs designed the R III was a large three bay biplane with unstaggered wings of unequal span 7 and a fully enclosed cabin Power was to be supplied by three 180 kW 240 hp Maybach HS engines mounted internally in the fuselage which 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 2 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 R III was delivered to Doberitz for military service on 30 December 1915 2 Problems with the engines began almost immediately and numerous modifications to the engines and their cooling systems were carried out in the field 2 Despite the modifications engine problems were probably responsible when the R III crashed in early 1916 2 New wings were fitted to the aircraft to replace those damaged in the crash but further attempts to fly the R III were again hampered by its engines and the aircraft was returned to Siemens Schuckert 2 In June the firm requested permission from the Idflieg to replace the troublesome engines with Benz Bz IV engines but was told to place the R III in storage instead 2 Work on the R III commenced again in October 1916 when a number of improvements based on field experience with the R V and R VI were incorporated into the aircraft These included reinforcement of the tail engine and gearbox thermometers lighting in the engine room and covers for the radiators that could be extended in flight 2 The wing was extended both in span and in chord 2 By this time the Idflieg had relaxed its specifications for the R types ordered from Siemens Schuckert 9 and with the Benz engines fitted the R III was able to meet the lowered standard 2 Siemens Schuckert delivered the refurbished aircraft to Riesenflugzeugersatzabteilung Rea giant aircraft support unit on 12 December 1916 and it was accepted into service on 21 December 2 In its modified form the aircraft was of no use on the front line but was used for training instead 2 3 6 a role in which it was still serving in February 1918 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 5 Specifications EditData from Kroschel amp Stutzer 1994 p 141General characteristicsCrew 4 Length 17 7 m 58 ft 1 in Wingspan 34 33 m 112 ft 8 in Height 4 6 m 15 ft 8 in Wing area 177 m2 1 910 sq ft Empty weight 5 400 kg 11 900 lb Gross weight 6 820 kg 15 000 lb Powerplant 3 Benz Bz IV 150 kW 200 hp eachPerformance Maximum speed 132 km h 83 mph 72 kn Range 480 km 300 mi 260 nmi Service ceiling 3 000 m 9 800 ft Armament 3 7 9 mm machine guns 500 kg of bombsNotes Edit a b Grey amp Thetford 1962 p 572 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Haddow amp Grosz 1963 p 187 a b c Taylor 1989 p 808 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft p 2920 a b Haddow amp Grosz 1963 p 184 a b Grey amp Thetford 1962 p 573 Haddow amp Grosz 1963 p 181 Haddow amp Grosz 1963 p 174 Haddow amp Grosz 1963 p 192References EditGray 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 Gunter Helmut Stutzer 1994 Die Deutschen Militarflugzeuge 1910 1918 Herford Mittler Taylor Michael J H 1989 Jane s Encyclopedia of Aviation London Studio Editions Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Siemens Schuckert R III amp oldid 996766196, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
