Siemens-Schuckert R.VII

R.VII
The R.VII wrecked at Cologne
Role Bomber
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Siemens-Schuckert
Designer Bruno and Franz Steffen[1]
First flight 15 January 1917[2]
Number built 1[2]
Developed from Siemens-Schuckert R.I

The Siemens-Schuckert R.VII was a bomber aircraft built in Germany during World War I.[3][4] 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).[5]

Development of earlier derivatives of the R.I revealed serious problems with the Maybach HS engine originally specified for these aircraft,[6] and the R.VII was fitted with Mercedes D.IVa engines instead.[2] From February 1917 to the summer of that year, the R.VII saw service on the Eastern Front before it was retired to training duties.[7]

  1. ^ Grey & Thetford 1962, p.572
  2. ^ a b c Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.194
  3. ^ Taylor 1989, p.808
  4. ^ The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft, p.2920
  5. ^ Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.184
  6. ^ Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.181
  7. ^ Haddow & Grosz 1963, p.195–96