Daimler G.I

The Daimler G.I, first designated the Daimler R.I, was a large German bomber designed and built from early in 1915. When the Daimler works entered aircraft manufacture it ordered a Union G.I, which broke up in the air because of engine vibration, so Daimler redesigned the aircraft with upright Mercedes D.III engines in place of the troublesome inverted ones. Assembly took place at Sindelfingen, with most parts built by the Stuttgart firm of Schiedmayer. Flight trials began late in 1915 and the structure had to be strengthened several times. Six improved R.II aircraft followed in 1916, two of which flew. Poor performance and competition from similar aircraft prevented production, and the aircraft was test flown until the middle of 1917. The R designation was dropped when it proved not to meet the criteria for a giant aircraft.