WW1 Military Motors - 1916 set x 50 cards

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The Martinsyde G100 and G102

The Martinsyde G100 nicknamed ' The Elephant ' due to it's larger than normal size for a single-seater biplane and also it's general lack of agility and manoeuvrability, was designed by Mr. A. A. Fletcher one of Martinsyde's aircraft designers, with the prototype G100 being ready for test flights in the Autumn of 1915.

The prototype Martinsyde G100 was powered by a 120 hp Austro-Daimler engine, however, for the later production model of the G100, a ' Beardmore ' 120 hp piston engine was fitted.

Following successful test flight trials with, and evaluation by the Royal Flying Corps, an initial order for 50 Martinsyde G100 Tractor BiPlanes was placed with Martinsyde Ltd., by the War Office on 22nd November 1915, with those first 50 Martinsyde G100's being serial numbered 7258 to 7307.

Delivery of the production model of the Martinsyde G100 to the R.F.C. commenced in mid-1916, and in addition to being powered by a Beardmore 120 hp 6-cylinder engine, the G100 was armed with a .303 drum-fed Lewis Gun mounted on the aircraft's centre upper-section, the firing of which, was controlled by the Pilot using a wire cable from the Lewis Gun to the Pilot's cockpit.

Subsequently, a second .303 Lewis Gun was also fitted, and mounted on a swivel & tilt bracket attached to the port-side of the aircraft's fuselage just behind the cockpit.

In June 1916, the War Office placed an initial order with Martinsyde Ltd., for 50 of the new upgraded version of the G100, designated the Martinsyde G102, with this new model's engine power increased by the fitting of a 160 hp Beardmore piston engine.

Both the Martinsyde G100 and G102 single-seater biplanes were originally devised as long range fighter-scout aircraft, however, due to their poor agility and manoeuvrability, their role was far more suitable as a long-range bomber, with their large size enabling a 260 lb bomb load to be carried.

Additionally, their stability and long-range enabled both the G100 and G102 to be utilised as long-range photo reconnaissance aircraft.

The Martinsyde G100 and G102 undertook this multi-purpose role in France and throughout the Middle East, and was in service with the R.F.C,, the R.A.F. and the Australian Flying Corps.

However, only one R.F.C. Squadron, the 27th serving in France, was equipped exclusively with Martinsyde G100s, and it was whilst flying in France with the R.F.C.'s 27th Squadron in a Martinsyde G100, that British Motorcycle Racing Champion and R.F.C. 2nd Lt. Oliver Cyril Godfrey, was Killed in Action on 23rd September 1916.

Specifications - Length 26 ft 6 ins - Wingspan 38 ft - Height 9 ft 8 ins - Service ceiling 14,000 ft - Range 450 miles - Endurance 4.5 hours - Max Speed G100 96 mph - Max Speed G102 103 mph.

The first two photographs show the Martinsyde G100 Prototype undergoing test flights and evaluation with the Royal Flying Corps, with the first photograph showing a side view of the prototype Martinsyde G100 serial number 4735

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The prototype Martinsyde G100 seen from the front.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A 1917 Martinsyde Ltd. advertisement showing the Martinsyde G100 in flight.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[MikeyH]

Lancs,

The attached is a contemporary print of an I.W.M. photograph, which appeared in the part-work 'I Was There', part 77 page 693 according to a pencilled note on the rear.

A pasted on typewritten caption, states:- 'Outside the Ecole Militaire, Montreuil, 25th May 1917. Central Office of British G.H.Q. from March 1916 - April, 1919'.

Have applied the original crop line, which removes the rear of a onlooking childs head from the foreground of the image. The staff car on the right is a Vauxhall D type, unsure about the one to the left, but not a Vauxhall, possibly French. Under a glass, the staff officer with the small dog on a lead, has a distinct resemblance to Blackadder's Captain Darling!

Mike.

p.s. thanks to Chris (4th Gordons) for assistance in posting photo.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The staff car on the right is a Vauxhall D type,

Mike,

As you say the vehicle on the right is a ' Vauxhall D Type ', which was a popular Staff Car during WW1, and here are two other examples.

Backs of vehicles were not often photographed and identified, however, we may find a match.

For those interested in Vauxhall vehicles used during WW1, enter ' Vauxhall ' in this Thread's search box and you will bring up many ' Vauxhall ' photographs.

Regards,

LF

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A 1913 Vauxhall D Type Army Staff Car.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The exterior the Ecole Militaire at Montreuil, the Central Office of British G.H.Q., with a guard formed from the Guernsey Light Infantry.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Here is a photograph of the large courtyard which lies immediately behind the entrance facade of the Ecole Militaire at Montreuil, and in this August 8th, 1916 photograph, H. M. King George V, is seen inspecting a Guard of Honour from the Artists Rifles under Captain Neame.

H. R. H, the Prince of Wales, Lieutenant General G. H. Fowke, and Lieutenant General S. R. Maxwell are accompanying the King.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Here is an interesting and important photograph, which shows one of the very first batch of 50 Martinsyde G100 aircraft sent to France in the Summer of 1916. Those first 50 Martinsyde G100s, were serial numbered 7258 to 7307.

In this photograph a Martinsyde G100 from the R.F.C.'s 27th Squadron, serial number 7266, is seen preparing to take off from Dover en route to France. The G100's Pilot is Lt. S. Dalrymple.

The R.F.C.'s 27th Squadron, was equipped exclusively with Martinsyde G100s

We also have a good view of the .303 drum-fed Lewis Gun mounted on the aircraft's centre upper-section, the firing of which, was controlled by the Pilot using a wire cable from the Lewis Gun to the Pilot's cockpit.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

In addition to the .303 drum-fed Lewis Gun originally mounted on the Martinsyde G100's centre upper-section as seen in the previous post, subsequently, a second .303 Lewis Gun was mounted on the G100's port-side just aft of the cockpit, fitted to a swivel & tilt bracket.

Good clear photographs of this 2nd .303 Lewis Gun seem to be extremely rare, and the attached photograph is the only one I have seen to date which clearly shows that 2nd .303 Lewis Gun.

In the foreground of this photograph, which shows King Nikola (Nicholas) I Petrovic of Montenegro inspecting the R.F.C.'s 9th Wing HQ at Fienvillers, is a Martinsyde G.100 biplane of No. 27 Squadron RFC., clearly showing the 2nd .303 Lewis Gun fitted to the fuselage just aft of the Pilot's cockpit.

Interestingly, this photograph was originally censored with the serial number on the tail of the aircraft behind the G100 blanked out.

King Nikola (Nicholas) I Petrovic of Montenegro ( 1841 - 1921 ) fled to France in January 1916 after Austria-Hungary conquered Montenegro, and following the end of WW1, he eventually moved to the South of France, where he died in 1921.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[michaeldr]

An unusual adaptation of a Martinsyde was put to work on the Dead Sea in late 1917:

see posts Nos. 2 & 3 here http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=136940&hl

[Lancashire Fusilier]

An unusual adaptation of a Martinsyde was put to work on the Dead Sea in late 1917:

see posts Nos. 2 & 3 here http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=136940&hl

Michael,

Many thanks for the link to that extremely interesting Thread on the Dead Sea Flotilla, I was very interested not only in the Martinsyde, but also the interesting photograph of the Holts towing the motorboat.

I hope you do not mind, if for the sake of continuity, I post the book quote referring to the Martinsyde being converted, and the reference to the 160 hp Beardmore engine confirms that it was a Martinsyde G102 Biplane that was used.

The photograph, I already had, so it was very important and interesting to match the attached photograph to your book reference, many thanks.

Regards,

LF

From 'Aces & Kings' by L W Sutherland

"Mimi was born at Mejdel. When No.67 Squadron was stationed there in 1917, the enemy was depending on obtaining most of his grain stores from El Lissan and El Safiel, districts just east of the Dead Sea. The grain was shipped by motor boat some sixty miles across the water to El Bahr and the northern end of the Dead Sea.

To cut off these supplies, numerous bomb raids were made on El Bahr, with little or no effect. We had more success when our aircraft flew low over the Dead Sea and machine-gunned the boats, but the skippers learned to zigzag and they often escaped, with the result that Johnny Turk continued to get his grain.

Dickie (Major R. Williams DSO. – later Air Vice-Marshal R. Williams CB., CBE., DSO., etc., Chief of the Air Staff, RAAF) was requested to give the matter thought. He conceived the idea of stripping a Martinsyde bomber of its wings and tail unit, substituting floats for wheels and giving its pilot-gunner an open commission on the Dead Sea. At first she proved a cantankerous beast. Her 160-hp Beardmore engine was far too powerful. She used to capsize at speed, and altogether she was most difficult to handle. Gunnery was another problem – it was impossible to fire over her nose. It was certainly a strange craft with a strange mission – the Swiss Navy could have shown nothing stranger. Mimi had to patrol an area of 800 square miles of water, 1200 feet below sea-level. Incidentally, the salt content of the Dead Sea [It is 8.6 times as salty as the ocean] is such that huge masses of salty foam were always in evidence on her hull. "

AWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[michaeldr]

I hope you do not mind, if for the sake of continuity, I post the book quote referring to the Martinsyde being converted, and the reference to the 160 hp Beardmore engine confirms that it was a Martinsyde G102 Biplane that was used.

No problem, & thanks for the clarification re which type was used on the DS

[Lancashire Fusilier]

In another interesting photograph taken during King Nikola (Nicholas) I Petrovic of Montenegro's visit to the 9th Wing RFC HQ at Fienvillers, in which the King ( white coat ) is seen inspecting Martinsyde G100s of 27th Squadron RFC., the RFC Officer in the foreground with his coat over his arm, is Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Dowding, later to lead the Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Here is a nice example of a Martinsyde G100 Biplane, Serial Number B872 being used on the Home Front, allocated to 110 Squadron RFC based at Sedgeford, Norfolk, which at the time, were flying patrols in the defence of London.

This particular Martinsyde G100 was rebuilt by No 1 Southern Aircraft Repair Depot, South Farnborough and re-numbered B872. Seen at the G100's controls, is Lieutenant Charles Eaton, RFC.

This photograph shows a nice clear view of the G100's centre top mounted .303 Lewis Gun, and we can see the wire used to activate the firing of the Lewis Gun hanging from the gun to the Pilot's cockpit.

We can also see a partial view of the 2nd .303 Lewis Gun mounted on the aircraft's port-side just aft of the Pilot's cockpit.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Although the Martinsyde G100 was originally devised as a fighter aircraft, it was soon found that although the G100 had shortcomings as a fighter aircraft, it was highly suitable as a long-range bomber, with the G100's large size enabling it to carry a then sizable maximum bomb load of 260 lbs, which was usually made up of 3 bomb racks each holding 4 x 20 lb bombs, giving a total 240 lb bomb load made up of 12 x 20 lb bombs.

The attached photograph shows the underside of a Martinsyde G100 ready made for a bombing mission, with it's 3 bomb racks, each loaded with 4 x 20 lb bombs.

LF

AWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

In this February 1918 photograph taken in the Mejdel Jaffa area of Palestine, we see an Australian Airman from the 1st Squadron Australian Flying Corps, part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, arming a load of 20 lb bombs ready for fitting to the parked Martinsyde G100/102's underside bomb racks.

Of note, is the two-wheeled hand-cart used to transport the bombs, which appears to be fitted with the same wheels and tyres as used to the G100's undercarriage wheels.

Also of note, is the .303 Lewis Gun which was mounted on top of the upper wing's mid-section, and in this photograph, we can see that the Lewis Gun has been brought down and lowered into the Pilot's cockpit, in the same position it would have been in for the changing of the Lewis Gun's drum ammunition magazine during flight.

In order for the Pilot to lower the Lewis Gun to change the drum magazine or deal with any jamming etc., there was a rod attached to the back of the Lewis Gun, which the Pilot could pull down on to lower the Lewis Gun into his cockpit, and then push up on to return the Lewis Gun back into position on top of the upper wing's mid-section.

We can also, see an Aerial Camera mounted to the Starboard ( right-side ) of the aircraft.

LF

AWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

In this enlargement of part of the photograph from post #5060, we can see the rod with a hand-grip ( hanging above the Pilot's head ), which was attached to the back of the Lewis Gun mounted above the Pilot on the upper-wing's mid-section, and by pulling down on this rod, the Pilot could lower the Lewis Gun into his cockpit during flight, to change the drum magazine or deal with any jamming etc., and the by pushing up on the rod, return the Lewis Gun back into it's forward firing position.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

In this interesting photograph, only the second one I have seen as yet which clearly shows the Martinsyde G100/102's 2nd .303 Lewis Gun mounted on a swivel & tilt bracket just behind the Pilot's cockpit, we can see the 2nd Lewis Gun in it's combat firing position alongside the Pilot and pointing aft.

Also of note, is the long tubular ( telescope ? ) fitted on top of the fuselage directly in front of the Pilot. Can anyone confirm if this is a telescope, or if it had some other use ? It is the first such piece of equipment I have seen fitted to a Martinsyde G100/102.

Again, we can see the hand-grip of the rod used to raise or lower the .303 Lewis Gun fitted on the upper wing mid-section above the Pilot.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Another February 1918 photograph taken in the Mejdel Jaffa area of Palestine, showing Australian Airmen from the 1st Squadron Australian Flying Corps, part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, arming and loading 20 lb bombs to a Martinsyde G100/102's underside bomb racks.

Of note, is the two-wheeled hand-cart used to transport the bombs, which appears to be fitted with the same wheels and tyres as used to the G100's undercarriage wheels.

LF

AWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

We have seen examples of the Martinsyde G100/102's roles as both a fighter aircraft and also a long-range bomber, and another role to which the Martinsyde G100/102 was particularly well suited due to it's stability in flight and it's long-range, was as a reconnaissance aircraft equipped with an aerial camera fitted to it's starboard ( right ) side fuselage.

In the attached photograph, again taken during King Nikola (Nicholas) I Petrovic of Montenegro's visit to the 9th Wing RFC HQ at Fienvillers, we see Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Dowding, later to lead the Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain in 1940, explaining to King Nikola the workings of a Thornton Pickard Type A aerial camera fitted to a 27th Squadron's Martinsyde G100.

The Thornton Pickard Type A aerial camera, was designed in 1915 by Lt. Col. J.T.C. Moore-Brabazon in collaboration with Cheshire based Camera Company of Thornton Pickard Ltd.

Also of note, is the clear view of the somewhat ornamental brackets used by Martinsyde to support and fix the wing struts on a G100/102 to the aircraft's fuselage. This type of ornamental bracket appears to be unique to the Martinsyde G100/102, so is a great source of identification detail.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Another example of the Martinsyde G100 being used in an ' Aerial Reconnaissance ' role, and equipped with what is possibly a ' C-Type ' Aerial Camera mounted on the G100's starboard side.

Also of note, are the ornamental brackets supporting the wing struts attached to the fuselage, and also the rod fixed to the back of the .303 Lewis Gun mounted to the top centre of the upper wing, which is used to lower and raise the Lewis Gun.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[MikeMeech]

In this interesting photograph, only the second one I have seen as yet which clearly shows the Martinsyde G100/102's 2nd .303 Lewis Gun mounted on a swivel & tilt bracket just behind the Pilot's cockpit, we can see the 2nd Lewis Gun in it's combat firing position alongside the Pilot and pointing aft.

Also of note, is the long tubular ( telescope ? ) fitted on top of the fuselage directly in front of the Pilot. Can anyone confirm if this is a telescope, or if it had some other use ? It is the first such piece of equipment I have seen fitted to a Martinsyde G100/102.

Again, we can see the hand-grip of the rod used to raise or lower the .303 Lewis Gun fitted on the upper wing mid-section above the Pilot.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Hi

The long tubular item is the 'Aldis' optical gun sight. The design was submitted to Martlesham Heath during 1915 by Aldis Brothers of Sparkhill, Birmingham. The prototype had a x 3 magnification but this made it difficult to locate targets quickly so it was produced without magnification and became a standard gunsight, being fitted to British aircraft from 1916 onwards. To quote 'British Aircraft Armament Vol. 2: RAF Guns and Gunsights from 1914 to the Present Day.' by R Wallace Clarke, page 131:

"The sight tube contained four hermetically sealed collimating lenses, with a graticule in the form of two concentric circles engraved on a plain glass screen. The outer circle gave the deflection needed for a target plane crossing at 100 mph, and a small circle gave the gun alignment point."... "The lens system gave unity (no) magnification, and ensured that the ring was always centred on the axis of the sight no matter where the eye was placed. The ideal eye distance from the rubber eyepiece was 5 in (127 mm), which gave a FOV (field of view) of 20 degrees."

The Aldis was considered superior to the ring and bead, but generally both were fitted. Oil could cover the lens, although an anti-oil flap was fitted to prevent this, in use it had to be un-covered. When introduced during 1916 it was considered to "possess almost magical powers", it didn't but was a good improvement and was "much sought after by German pilots", although both the Germans and the French produced similar sights. By 1917 it was the standard sight and appears in many photos of the period both in single-seat fighters and two-seaters.

Mike

[MikeMeech]

In this enlargement of part of the photograph from post #5060, we can see the rod with a hand-grip ( hanging above the Pilot's head ), which was attached to the back of the Lewis Gun mounted above the Pilot on the upper-wing's mid-section, and by pulling down on this rod, the Pilot could lower the Lewis Gun into his cockpit during flight, to change the drum magazine or deal with any jamming etc., and the by pushing up on the rod, return the Lewis Gun back into it's forward firing position.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Hi

Note 'Gate Sight' for MG in front of windscreen for a forward firing weapon, this preceded the Ring and Bead.

Mike

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The long tubular item is the 'Aldis' optical gun sight.

Mike

Mike,

Many thanks for the excellent information on the ' Aldis ' optical gun sight, which was very informative, and I shall keep an eye out for any further examples.

Regards,

LF