Gotha G.VII

The Gotha G.VII was a German twin‑engine heavy bomber built by Gothaer Waggonfabrik near the end of World War I. Developed in 1918 as an evolution of the earlier G.V, the G.VII incorporated a larger wingspan, reinforced airframe and more powerful Mercedes D.IVa six‑cylinder inline engines delivering 260 hp each. These improvements raised the maximum speed to about 140 km/h, extended the service ceiling to 5,500 m and allowed a payload of up to 600 kg of bombs, typically carried in a cramped internal bomb bay. Defensive armament consisted of two flexible 7.92 mm machine guns, one positioned in the front cockpit and another in a dorsal ring mount. Only about twenty airframes were built; a few entered Luftstreitkräfte service for training in late 1918, and the United States Army Air Service examined captured examples, gaining experience later used for the DH‑4 license production. These limited numbers constrained their operational impact, but the design demonstrated the shift toward larger, more capable strategic bombers. Post‑war the G.VII influenced later inter‑war German bomber concepts and provided valuable experience in constructing all‑metal wing structures and integrating more reliable powerplants. Though few saw combat, the Gotha G.VII remains a notable step in the evolution of long‑range military aviation.

Gotha

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