Albatros G.III

 

The Albatros G.III was a German bomber of the The Great War. It was based on the Albatros G.II, a previous design of the Albatros firm, that never went beyond the prototype stage, as it was critically underpowered. 
The G.III used an identical plywood covered fuselage and was powered by a pair of Benz Bz. IV inline engines yielding 220 hp each, set in a pusher configuration. For comparison, the G.II was powered by two Benz Bz. III each one rated at 150 hp.
The Bz. IV engines improved the rate of climb and allowed for a heavier bombload. The airfoil area was unchanged and, in order to further improve the payload capability, upper wing span was increased to allow for more lifting area. Manoeuvrability was improved thanks to fitted aerodynamic balances that reduced pilot's control forces, however, in order to harmonize those forces, the aerodynamic balance on the rudder was deleted. 
The landing gear was also revised, so the nose wheel, present at the G.II, was deleted and dual wheels were fitted in every main gear. More traditional interplane bracings were employed, however, the G.III employed the single-bay configuration so typical of the time. The engines' installation was similar to that of the G.II, but it was more streamlined as the Bz. IV engines were more powerful. It seems that the engines suffered from cooling problems as every available photo show them without cowling panels, in spite of its negative effects on streamlining. 
It was armed with two Parabellum MG14 machine guns, one placed in the bomb aimer's position, just on the nose and another one on the observer's position, just aft the pilot's cockpit. It could carry up to 325 kg (720 lb) of bombs in a semi-recessed bomb bay under the fuselage, plus some additional smaller bombs fitted in bomb carriers placed at the sides of the nose.

The G.III, when compared to the G.II, was a much improved machine. However, when compared to its rivals, namely, AEG G.III, Friedrichshafen G.II or Gotha G.III , among others, it suffered from lighter payload and worse flying characteristics. Anyway, Idflieg (the bureau of aircraft production during World War I) ordered some few (10 or 12) of them for evaluation purposes. In early 1917 some were deployed with Kagohl. 4 (Kampfgeschwader der Obersten Heeresleitung - Combat Squadron of the Highest Army Command) in the Balkans front, while others were deployed with Kagohl. 2  somewhere in the Western Front. In April 1917 there were a total of nine G.III at the frontlines, while there was only one by the end of that same year. 
The Albatros G.III made a very limited contribution to the German war effort and was the least successful of the G-type medium bombers. Because of this, Albatros abandoned the development of medium bombers and focused on their more successful fighters and two-seater aircraft.

Sources:
1st https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albatros_G.III
2nd https://flyingmachines.ru/Site2/Crafts/Craft25761.htm
3rd Aeronaut Books - Great War Aviation Centennial 26 - Albatros Aircraft of WWI Vol.3 Bombers, Seaplanes, J-Types