The German concern of AEG (Allgemeine Elektritzitats Gesellschaft) delivered another successful wartime product in its G.IV tactical medium bomber during World War 1 (1914-1918). The aircraft became an amalgam of the strengths featured in the earlier G.I, G.II, and G.III models by the company with the new platform produced from 1915 to 1918, the final year of the war. The aircraft was not available in suitable numbers until late-1916 but managed to see consistent service through to the end of the war.
As finalized, the G.IV model sported a conventional twin-engine layout with a biplane wing assembly and a three-man crew. The engines were held outboard of the fuselage within the upper and lower wing assemblies by way of struts. The crew sat inline across three individual open-air cockpits with collectively excellent views of the surrounding area. Two 7.92mm machine guns were fitted for local defense, one forward and one aft (the pilot seated in between the two), while up to 882lbs of externally-held ordnance could be carried.
Power was served through 2 x Mercedes D.IVa 6-cylinder, water-cooled inline piston engines developing 260 horsepower each. This provided a top speed of 103 miles per hour, a service ceiling of 14,760 feet, and a mission endurance window of about 4.5 hours.
The G.IV served the German air arm well during its years of wartime action though its potent offensive capacity was restricted some by inherently limited operational ranges. The G.IV designation marked basic tactical bombers while the G.IVg was a lengthened wing form with an additional bay added to each wing. The G.IVk was a special mission, ground attack model - five were completed - which added armoring and was armed with 2 x 20mm Becker cannons for the strafing role. G.IV bombers were also used in night time raids until growing Allied air superiority began to challenge the bomber, forcing it exclusively to operate in low-light hours and these missions produced mixed results.
The AEG G.V of May 1918 was intended as an improved G.IV form but the war ended before the aircraft could be pressed into service.
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
MULTI-ENGINE
Incorporates two or more engines, enhancing survivability and / or performance.
MULTI-WINGED
Addition of more mainplanes to enhance inherent agility, providing a tactical edge in tight engagements.
RUGGED AIRFRAME
Inherent ability of airframe to take considerable damage.
HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
Can reach and operate at higher altitudes than average aircraft of its time.
EXTENDED RANGE PERFORMANCE
Capability to travel considerable distances through onboard fuel stores.
CREW-MANAGED
Beyond a pilot, the aircraft takes advantage of additional crew specialized in specific functions aboard the aircraft.
GUN POSITIONS
Defensive gun positions for engagement / suppression.
TAIL GUN
Defensive rear-facing gun position to neutralize enemy targets emerging from the rear.
Length
31.8 ft (9.70 m)
Width/Span
60.4 ft (18.40 m)
Height
12.8 ft (3.90 m)
Empty Wgt
5,291 lb (2,400 kg)
MTOW
8,003 lb (3,630 kg)
Wgt Diff
+2,712 lb (+1,230 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base AEG G.IV production variant)
Installed:
2 x Mercedes D.IVa 6-cylinder liquid-cooled inline piston engines developing 260 horsepower driving 2 x Two-bladed propeller units in puller arrangement.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base AEG G.IV production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
STANDARD:
1 x 7.92mm Spandau machine guns on trainable mounting in front cockpit.
1 x 7.92mm Spandau machine guns on trainable mounting in rear cockpit.
OPTIONAL:
Up to 880lb to 900lb of external conventional drop ordnance / conventional drop bombs.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 4
Mounting Points
-
-
-
7
5
-
-
-
4
6
-
-
-
HARDPOINT(S) KEY:
X
15
13
11
9
7
5
3
1
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
COLOR KEY:
Fuselage Centerline
Fuselage Port/Wingroot
Fuselage Starboard/Wingroot
Wing/Underwing
Wingtip Mount(s)
Internal Bay(s)
Not Used
Note: Diagram above does not take into account inline hardpoints (mounting positions seated one-behind-the-other).
G.IV - Production Model Series Designation; base tactical bomber form.
G.IVg - Increased span biplane wings with three-bay arrangement.
G.IVk - Limited production ground-attack aircraft; armoring added for low altitude protection; outfitted 20mm Becker cannon in dorsal position and 20mm Becker cannon under the nose.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
Images Gallery
1 / 1
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com.
Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing all American military medals and ribbons.
German Empire
