AEG
AEG R.I
AEG R.I was a pioneering German heavy bomber developed by the electrical and aviation firm AEG during World War I. First flown in late 1916, the aircraft embodied the “R” (Riesenflugzeug) concept of a multi‑engine, long‑range bomber capable of carrying substantial payloads deep into enemy territory. It featured a twin‑bay biplane wing structure and housed four 260 hp Mercedes D.IVa engines inside the fuselage, driving two tractor and two pusher propellers through a complex gearbox system. This layout reduced drag, protected the powerplants, and allowed the crew—pilot, co‑pilot, navigator and gunners—to operate from a single, fully enclosed cockpit. The R.I could lift up to 1,000 kg of bombs and had a range of roughly 850 km, impressive for its era. Only a handful were built, and operational service was limited by mechanical reliability, yet the aircraft’s design introduced crucial innovations such as internal engine mounting, centralized crew stations, and the use of multi‑engine redundancy. These concepts directly influenced subsequent German bombers, most notably the AEG G series, and helped shape the evolution of strategic air‑power in the interwar period. Its legacy persisted into the 1930s, informing the engineering philosophy of later Luftwaffe heavy bombers such as the Heinkel He 111 and the Junkers Ju 88.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1916