production numbers of the Friedrichshafen G.III(a)

[Volker_Nemsch]

Just a short question:

While looking through my books I found many different data for the Friedrichshafen G.III and G.IIIa bomber concerning production numbers.

The numbers differ from 335 to 515 produced aircraft! Who knows more about this?


Thanks in advance!

[Immo_Frese]

Hi Volker,

Gray & Thedford lists 338 Friedrichshafen buildt. But these numbers are only given for the sub-contractors.

Hanseatische Flugzeugwerke: 93 G III & G IIIa
Daimler Motoren-Gesellschaft: 245 G III & G IIIa

So most certainly there were more... ???

Gruß, Immo

[FinnN]

Windsock 65 gives the order numbers by month (I've totalled them up here) for Fdh GIII/IIIa/IIIb/IV:

Friedrichshafen: 709 (609 are identified as G.III and G.IIIa)
Daimler: 280 (including 75 'G.IIIa/G.IV')
Hanseatische: 75

Which totals to 1064!

Have fun
Finn

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Volker Nemsch:
* From *the data I have in my archives, the breakdown of Fdh production is as follows:
G.I = 7 Fdh.
G.II = 17 Fdh + G.II(Daim) = 36 = 58.
G.III= 208 Fdh + G.III(Daim)=130 + G.III(Hansa)= * *75 = 413 Total G.III aircraft.
G.IIIa= 149 Fdh + G.IIIa(Daim)=128 + G.IIIa(Hansa)=75 = 352 total G.IIIa aircraft.
G.IIIb = at least 3 Fdh.
G.IV = 62 Fdh + G.IV(Daim)=52 = 114 G.IV bombers.
G.IVa = 100 Fdh, G.IVa(Gotha) 50 = 150 total G.IVa bombers.
G.V. = 3 ? Fdh.
Total production orders: Fdh.547; Daim. 346; Hansa,150: Gotha 50. = 1096 grand total. *Of this total machines ordered, over 900 were built. *It is unlikely that the G.IVa orders were built.
* *What I find interesting is, the bomb load of the G.IIIa (800 kg)and G.IV*(1000 kg) bombers were superior to the Gotha G.V(600kg) and G.Va &b series (600kg), the Fdh G.IIIa and G.IV bombers were faster 142km/hr vrs 135 km/hr. *Also they were stronger and more durable than the Gotha bombers. The Gotha G.V series had a better range, 800 km over the G.IIIa and G.IV with 600 Km. For this reason the Gotha G.V series was used by Bogohl III.
* * * * * * * * * * * *Hope this helps.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Blue skies,
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Dan-San.

[Volker_Nemsch]

Hello all!

First of all: thank you very much for your help!

I´m really surprised to see how many of those giant bombers were produced. Additionally if you have in mind how "famous" the Gothas are in comparison with the Friedrichshafens.