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The AEG G.I (originally designated as the K.I) was a three-seat, twin-engined German biplane bomber aircraft of World War I. It was tested and found to be viable for air-fighting in the latter half of 1915 but performed poorly, necessitating the development of the AEG G.II.
The G.I had a max. takeoff weight of 1,960 kg (4,322 lb) and was powered by two 74.5 kW (100 hp) Mercedes D.I six-cylinder water cooled inline engines.
The AEG G.II was developed from the AEG G.I, with more powerful (150 hp) Benz Bz.III 6-cyl. water-cooled in-line piston engines. The G.II was typically armed with three 7.92 mm (.312 in) machine guns and 200 kg (440 lb) of bombs. The bomber suffered stability problems, and many G.IIs were fitted with additional vertical tail surfaces on each side of the fin and rudder to improve flight handling characteristics.
The G.II had a max. takeoff weight of 2,464 kg (5,432 lb).
The AEG G.III developed from the G.II. Like its predecessor, it was only built in small numbers and saw limited operational use, mainly far from the main fronts of the war.
The G.III had a max takeoff weight of 3,008 kg (6,632 lb) and was powered by two 164 kW (220 hp) Mercedes D.IV 8-cylinder water-cooled inline piston engines. Bomb load was 300 kg (660 lb).
The AEG G.IV was a biplane bomber aircraft used in World War I by Germany. It was developed from the AEG G.III, with refinements to power, bomb-load and dimensions. Coming into service in late 1916, it featured a bomb capacity twice as large as that of the AEG G.II, but was still considered inadequate in terms of offensive capacity and performance. Further improvements led to the development of the G.V, but the Armistice came before the replacement could become operational. Serving late in the war, the AEG G.IV managed to achieve some operational success in reconnaissance and combat roles.
The Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft (AEG) G.IV was derived from the earlier G.III. Designed as a tactical bomber, the relatively modern technology included onboard radios and electrically heated suits for the crew. Unlike the other German bombers such as the Gotha and the Friedrichshafen, the AEG featured an all-metal, welded-tube frame, making it a more rugged aircraft. Well equipped with armament, although the rear gunner’s cockpit was on the top of the fuselage, the position was equipped with a hinged window in the floor for viewing and fending off pursuing aircraft.
The AEG G.IV medium bomber was converted into an armored, antitank gunship, the G.IVk (Kanone) with two 20 mm Becker cannon. It never saw service.
The AEG G.IV bomber entered service with the German Air Force in late 1916. Because of its relatively short range, the G.IV served mainly as a tactical bomber, operating close to the front lines. The G.IV flew both day and night operations in France, Romania, Greece and Italy, but, as the war progressed, the AEG G.IV was restricted increasingly to night missions. Many night operations were considered nuisance raids with no specific targets, but with the intention of disrupting enemy activity at night and perhaps doing some collateral damage.
The AEG G.IV carried a warload of 400 kg (880 lb). While Gotha crews struggled to keep their heavy aircraft aloft, the AEG was renowned as an easy aircraft to fly. Some G.IV crews of Kampfgeschwader 4 are known to have flown up to seven combat missions a night on the Italian front. A notable mission involved Hauptmann Hermann Kohl attacking the railroad sheds in Padua, Italy in his G.IV bomber.
A single example (number 574/18) is preserved at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. This example is significant not only as the only one of its kind in existence, but as the only preserved German, twin-engined combat aircraft from World War I. The aircraft was brought to Canada in 1919 as a war trophy. It has been at the museum since 1970.
The AEG G.V was a biplane bomber aircraft of World War I, a further refinement of the AEG G.IV. The type saw limited production before the Armistice, and never entered operational service. It featured a 600 kg (1,320 lb) bombload.
After the war, several were converted into 6-passenger airliners. It was the only large German World War I aircraft to see commercial duties in any significant capacity. Initially, passengers sat in an open cockpit, but a Limousine version was soon developed. AEG attached a cabin fairing to enclose the passenger area and outfitted the nose with a hinged door for baggage. Finally, a toilet was provided aft of the passenger cabin.
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