They were conventional biplanes, essentially enlarged versions of the WD.11 and like it they had twin engines mounted tractor-fashion on the lower wing. The wider fuselage of these aircraft allowed the pilot and observer to sit side-by-side in the open cockpit, and a second 7.92mm (.312in) machine gun was added in an open dorsal position. Hinges were added to the wings, allowing them to be folded for storage.
69 WD.14s were built, but were found to be ineffective in their intended role of torpedo bomber, since their low speed made them extremely vulnerable to defensive fire. Many were subsequently converted into mine layers, and some were even used as transports, landing machine gun detachments during Operation Albion in October 1917. The WD.20 differed from the WD.14 only in having large auxiliary fuel tanks for long-range reconnaissance and having no torpedo- or mine-carrying capability.
A small number of generally similar WD.22 prototypes were built, these differing from the WD.20 in having two extra engines added, creating two tractor-pusher pairs, one on each wing.
WD.14
Twin-engined torpedo bomber
WD.20
Twin-engined long-range reconnaissance aircraft; three built.[1]
WD.22
Four-engined long-range reconnaissance aircraft, powered by 2 x 160hp (120kW)Mercedes D.III tractor engines and 2 x 100hp (75kW)Mercedes D.I pusher engines in tandem nacelles; two built.[1]
Data fromGerman Aircraft of the First World War[1]
General characteristics
Crew: 3
Length: 14.45m (47ft 5in)
Wingspan: 25.5m (83ft 8in)
WD.22: 26m (85ft)
Height: 5m (16ft 5in)
Wing area: 131.7m2 (1,418sqft)
WD.22: 147m2 (1,580sqft)
Empty weight: 3,150kg (6,945lb)
WD.20: 3,030kg (6,680lb)
WD.22: 3,800kg (8,400lb)
Gross weight: 4,642kg (10,234lb)
WD.20: 4,540kg (10,010lb)
WD.22: 5,170kg (11,400lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Benz Bz.IV 6-cylinder water-cooled in-line piston engine, 150kW (200hp) each
Gray, Peter & Thetford, Owen (1987) [1970]. German Aircraft of the First World War (2nded.). London: Putnam. ISBN0-85177-809-7.
Herris, Jack (2013). Gotha Aircraft of WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes. Great War Aviation Centennial Series. Vol.6. Charleston, South Carolina: Aeronaut Books. ISBN978-1-935881-14-8.
Metzmacher, Andreas (2021). Gotha Aircraft 1913-1954: From the London Bomber to the Flying Wing Jet Fighter. Brimscombe, Stroud: Fonthill. ISBN978-1-78155-706-8.
S, W (March–April 2010). "Rara Avis - Gotha WD.14 - A WW1 'Swordfish'!". Windsock Worldwide. 26 (2). Albatros Productions: 15–18.
Schmeelke, Michael (2020). "Torpedo Los!": The German Imperial Torpedo-Flieger. n.p.: Aeronaut Books. ISBN978-1-953201-17-1.
Schmeelke, Michael (2018). Zeebrugge: Naval Air Station Flanders I 1914–1918. Reno, Nevada: Aeronaut Books. ISBN978-1-935881-46-9.
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