Late Gotha Bombers
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Windsock Datafile 143
Author: Colin Owers
Publisher: Albatros Publications
ISBN: 978-1-906798-11-6
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 32
The newest Datafile title covers a rather obscure subject, although on the surface it would seem otherwise. The Gotha bomber is one of the most iconic WWI bombers, but most are only familiar with the earlier variants. Gotha continued to produce aircraft up until the end of the war, and it is these late variants that make up the subject of this book, those designs that were produced in too little a number to be of effective use in combat.
The specific variants covered here include the Gotha G.VII, G.VIII, and G.IX. All told, there were just over 350 of these aircraft produced, with most actually coming from the LVG factory (Aviatik and Gotha also produced the types). Given that there were few produced, one would expect that the photo coverage would be limited, but that is not the case. In fact, it would seem to be the opposite, as this book has several pages filled with single photos that show an incredible amount of detail and clarity.
The book follows other Datafile titles in that there is a thorough text that is both informative and easy to read, complimented by extensive photographs that illustrate the type both operationally and under construction. As these late Gotha bombers found post-war usage as transports and in allied air forces, many of these photos show the aircraft in those roles. The center section has the requisite detailed scale drawings, which is particularly nice in this case as there are no kits of late Gotha bombers (at least, none that I know about). It is an attractive design, with its close cowlings and long wings, so it would make for an interesting scratchbuild subject. Finally, on the rear cover are three color profile illustrations showing German, Belgian, and Ukrainian examples.
Marking the end of the Gotha bomber line, this book makes for an excellent coda to the existing Datafiles on Gotha bombers, and as such it is a welcome title indeed. My thanks to Albatros Publications for the review copy. Visit their website for ordering and subscription information.