HUGE GOTHAS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 21, 24 July 1918, Page 7

HUGE GOTHAS

'The following particulars are given of the new giant Gotha bombing plane which the Germans employed in the recent night raids on France and England. The "Giant" has a -wing-spread of 131 ft, and is driven by three motors, each of 300 horse-power." It can carry nine passengers, hut -when .on raids the crew is reduced to' five or six in order to carry more bombs atfd petrol. Each machine carries -usually about two tons of bombs, including on© of about a ton in weight containing- about 10121b of explosive. Owing to the extreme difficulty of landing at night with machines of such size, it is probable, says Heater's correspondent, there will foe a high proportion of loss through accident among the giants. 1 If the figures given above are accurate, remark's a London newspaper, they show that tho Germans are now building a type of aeroplane far larger than anythinsr they have previously attempted. The"""Friedrichßhafen," built at the Zeppelin works at Lake Constance, is one of the biggest hitherto noted. One of these y/as shot down in France on 16th February. Examination shows that it measured 7Sft over the wing tips, and had a maximum overall length of 42ft. It was fitted with five.racks, each for five 251b bombs, and two racks each for ono 6001b or 7001b bomb, a total maximum of 20251b. It had two 260 horsepower motors, and wa* fitted to curry foar persons,