| R.VI | |
|---|---|
| Role | Bomber |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Siemens-Schuckert |
| Designer | Bruno and Franz Steffen[1] |
| First flight | c. April 1916[2] |
| Number built | 1[2] |
| Developed from | Siemens-Schuckert R.I[3] |
The Siemens-Schuckert R.VI 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.VI 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.VI was spared from the troublesome Maybach HS engine.[2] The R.VI was the first of the Siemens-Schuckert R-type aircraft to reach service,[2] and between July 1916 and November 1917 saw service on the Eastern Front before it was declared obsolete and dismantled.[7]
As designed, the R.VI was a large three-bay biplane with unstaggered wings of unequal span and a fully enclosed cabin.[8] 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.[9] The main undercarriage consisted of divided units, each of which carried dual wheels, and the tail was supported by a pair of tailwheels.[8] 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[10] The firm made the same change on the R.VI, which was under construction at the time.[2] The fuselage was modified to accommodate the new powerplant, and an extra bay was added to the wings, increasing their span.[2] Upon completion, designer Bruno Steffen piloted the R.VI on a test flight in which the aircraft carried a 2,400-kg (5,300-lb) load for six hours,[2] a world record at the time, but one which was never publicised due to the war.[2]
Despite this remarkable flight, the R.VI did not meet the specifications issued by the Idflieg in its contract with Siemens-Schuckert. Therefore, the Idflieg opted to relax the original specifications somewhat and complete the purchase of the aircraft.[11]
Siemens-Schuckert delivered the R.VI to the Riesenflugzeugersatzabteilung (Rea — "giant aircraft support unit") at Döberitz on 20 July 1916.[11] From there, it was assigned to Riesenflugzeugabteilung 501 (Rfa 501), and joined the squadron at Vilna on 7 August.[11] It operated there until it was dismantled as obsolete in November 1917.[7]
Specific details of several operational missions while with Rfa 501 have survived:[12]
Additionally, the R.V carried out the following raids together with the R.V:[12]
together with the R.VII:[12]
and together with the R.IV and R.VII:[12]
Data from Kroschel & Stützer 1994, p.141
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
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