Siemens-Schuckert R.II

R.II
Role Bomber
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Siemens-Schuckert
Designer Bruno and Franz Steffen[1]
First flight 26 October 1915[2]
Primary user Luftstreitkräfte[3]
Number built 1[2]
Developed from Siemens-Schuckert R.I

The Siemens-Schuckert R.II was a prototype 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).[2] Although the R.II was the first of the batch to be completed,[2] it was the last accepted into military service,[2] and then only as a trainer.[1][3][4]

The Siemens-Schuckert R.II to R.VII were ordered in the G (Grossflugzeug - large aircraft) series and given serial numbers G.32/15 to G.37/15 respectively. These serials were changed on 13 July 1915 to G.33/15 - G.38/15, for unknown reasons and again on 6 November 1915 to R.2/15 - R.7/15 in the R (Riesenflugzeug - giant aircraft) series, adopting the R.II to R.VII designations.[2]

  1. ^ a b Grey & Thetford 1962, p.572
  2. ^ a b c d e f Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.184
  3. ^ a b Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.187
  4. ^ a b Taylor 1989, p.808
  5. ^ The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft, p.2920