Gotha WD.7

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WD.7 and WD.8
Type Seaplane trainer
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Gotha
Maiden flight 1916
Primary user German Navy

The Gotha WD.7 (for Wasser Doppeldecker - "Water Biplane") was a reconnaissance seaplane developed in Germany during World War I. After the pusher-configured Gotha WD.3 was not accepted by the German Navy, Gotha turned to a new layout that would keep the aircraft's nose free for forward-firing weapons. The WD.7 therefore, was a conventional biplane with twin engines mounted tractor-fashion on the leading edge of the lower wing. Eight examples were built for the German Navy for use as trainers for torpedo bombing. During 1917, two of these aircraft were used for testing a 37 mm autocannon built by DWM.

The same airframe was used to create the WD.8 as an unarmed reconnaissance aircraft, substituting the twin wing-mounted engines for a single Maybach Mb.IVa in the nose.

[edit] Specifications (WD.7)

General characteristics


[edit] References

  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 428. 
  • World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing, File 895 Sheet 09. 
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Aircraft produced by Gothaer Waggonfabrik

Company designations pre-1918
LD.1 • LD.2 • LD.3 • LD.4 • LD.5 • LD.6 • LD.7

LE.1 • LE.2 • LE.3

WD.1 • WD.2 • WD.3 • WD.4 • WD.5 • WD.7 • WD.8 • WD.9 • WD.11 • WD.12 • WD.13 • WD.14 • WD.15 • WD.20 • WD.22 • WD.27


Idflieg designations 1914-1918
G.I • G.II • G.III • G.IV • G.V • G.VI • G.VII • G.VIII • G.IX • G.X


Reichsluftfahrtministerium designations 1933-1945
Go 145 • Go 146 • Go 147 • Go 149 • Go 150 • Go 229 • Go 241 • Go 242 • Go 244 • Go 345 • Ka 430
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