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]