Martinsyde G.100

G.100/G.102 "Elephant"
Role	Biplane fighter/Bomber
Manufacturer	Martinsyde
Introduction	1916
Primary users	Royal Flying Corps Australian Flying Corps
Number built	271

The Martinsyde G.100 "Elephant" and the G.102 were British fighter bomber aircraft of the First World War built by Martinsyde.

It gained the name "Elephant" from its relatively large size and lack of manoeuvrability. The G.102 differed from the G.100 only in having a more powerful engine.

Operational Use

The G100 was built originally as a long range, single-seat fighter and escort machine but on the basis of its size and weight was reclassified as a day bomber. It successfully performed this role from the summer of 1916 through to the closing weeks of 1917. It was also used for long-range photo reconnaissance, where stability and endurance were required (the type was capable of a five and a half hour flight) .

Variants

• Martinsyde G.100 : Single-seat fighter-scout, bomber and reconnaissance biplane, powered by a 120-hp (89-kW) Beardmore piston engine. 100 built.^[1]
• Martinsyde G.102 : Single-seat fighter-scout, bomber and reconnaissance biplane, powered by a 160-hp (119-kW) Beardmore piston engine. 171 built.^[1]

Operators

 Australia

• Australian Flying Corps
  • No. 1 Squadron AFC in Egypt and Palestine.^[2]

 United Kingdom

• Royal Flying Corps^[1][3]
  • No. 14 Squadron RFC
  • No. 18 Squadron RFC
  • No. 20 Squadron RFC
  • No. 21 Squadron RFC
  • No. 23 Squadron RFC
  • No. 25 Squadron RFC
  • No. 27 Squadron RFC
  • No. 30 Squadron RFC
  • No. 31 Squadron RFC
  • No. 39 Squadron RFC
  • No. 51 Squadron RFC
  • No. 63 Squadron RFC
  • No. 72 Squadron RFC
  • No. 110 Squadron RFC
  • No. 142 Squadron RFC

Specifications (G.100)

Data from The British Fighter since 1912^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: One, pilot
• Length: 26 ft 6 in (8.07 m)
• Wingspan: 38 ft 0 in (11.59 m)
• Height: 9 ft 8 in (2.95 m)
• Wing area: 410 ft² (38.1 m²)
• Empty weight: 1,795 lb (816 kg)
• Loaded weight: 2,424 lb (1,102 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Beardmore straight 6-cylinder engine, 120 hp (90 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 83 knots (96 mph, 155 km/h)
• Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4270 m)

Armament

• 1 × 0.303 in Lewis gun mounted above upper wing centre section
• 1 × Lewis gun mounted fixed aft of the cockpit pointing rearwards
• 260 lb (120 kg) bombload

See also

Media related to Martinsyde G.100 at Wikimedia Commons

Related lists

• List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force
  

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Mason, Francis K (1992). The British Fighter since 1912. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. pp. Pages 44–45. ISBN 1-55750-082-7. 
2. ^ Cutlack, F.M. (1941) [1923]. "Appendix 1 Types of Fighting Aeroplanes". The Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918: Volume VIII: The Australian Flying Corps in the Western and Eastern Theatres of War 1914-1918 (11th Edition ed.). Sydney: Angus and Robertson. pp. Page 404. http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/9/chapters/28.pdf. Retrieved 2008-03-10. 
3. ^ Mason, Francis K (1994). The British Bomber since 1914. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. p. Pages74-75. ISBN 0 85177 861 5. 

• Aircraft of World War I, Kenneth Munson, 1967 Ian Allan ISBN 0-7110-0356-4

External links

• http://www.theaerodrome.com/aircraft/gbritain/martinsyde_g100.php
• http://www.britishaircraft.co.uk/aircraftpage.php?ID=721