Caudron G.3

The Caudron G.3 was a single-engine French biplane, it was widely used in World War I as a reconnaissance aircraft and trainer.

Most G.3s were the A2 model, used by various air forces for artillery spotting on the Western front, in Russia and in the Middle East.

The G.3 D2 was a two-seat trainer, equipped with dual controls and the E2 was a basic trainer.

The R1 version was used by France and the United States Air Service for taxi training, with the wing trimmed down to prevent its becoming airborne.

The last version, the G.3. L2, was equipped with a more powerful 100 hp (75 kW) Anzani 10 radial engine.

In Germany, Gotha built a few copies of the G.3 as the Gotha LD.3 and Gotha LD.4

Specifications

Crew

1

Length

6.4 m (21 ft 0 in)

Wingspan

13.4 m (44 ft 0 in)

Height

2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)

Wing area

27 m2 (290 sq ft)

Empty weight

420 kg (926 lb)

Max take-off weight

710 kg (1,565 lb)

Powerplant

1 × Le Rhône 9C 9-cylinder air-cooled rotary piston engine, 60 kW (80 hp)

Propellers

2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

Maximum speed

106 km/h (66 mph, 57 kn)

Endurance

4 hours

Service ceiling

4,300 m (14,100 ft)

Armament

Guns

One light machine gun.

Bombs

Hand released bombs.