Photograph:
Martinsyde G.100s of No 27 Squadron Royal Flying Corps during World War I (RAAF Museum)
Country of origin:
United Kingdom
Description:
Single-seat scout / fighter biplane
Power Plant:
One 90 kw (120 hp) Beardmore six-cylinder liquid-cooled engine which was a licence-built version of the Austro-Daimler 6 and was of 13,145 litres (851 cub in) and weighed 247 kg (545 lb)
Specifications:
- Wingspan [upper and lower mainplanes]: 11.58 m (38 ft)
- Length: 8.08 m (26 ft 6 in)
- Height: 2.94 m (9 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 38.08 m² (410 sq ft)
- Max speed at 1,981 m (6,500 ft): 153 km/h (95 mph)
- Max speed at 3,048 m (10,000 ft): 140 km/h (87 mph)
- Climb to 3,048 m (10,000 ft): 19 minutes
- Service ceiling 4,267 m (14,000 ft): endurance 5 ½ hours
- Empty weight: 797 kg (1,759 lb)
- Loaded weight: 1,099 kg (2,424 lb)
Armament:
Two 7.69 mm (0.303 in) Lewis machine guns, one above the centre section and a second behind the cockpit on the port side. One 51 kg (112 lb) bomb.
History:
Prior to World War I George Handasyde and Paul Martin built a number of designs of other manufacturers, eventually becoming a major supplier of fighting aircraft in their own right to the allies during World War I. The G.100 was a two-bay biplane with wing bracing powered by a 90 kw (120 hp) Beardmore engine. It was intended to be a long-range fighter and it thus required fuel for over five hours of flying. The prototype (4735) was flown at Upavon in September 1915 and it entered production during that year. As it was introduced before interrupter gear was introduced, a Lewis machine gun was fitted on top of the wing, and another firing rearward attached to the port side of the fuselage. In service it became known as the Martinsyde Scout. Early operations related to No 27 Squadron’s bombing operations during the Battle of the Somme.
The G.100 saw service in Palestine and Mesopotamia with Nos 14 and 67 Squadrons of the RFC. The Australian AFC Half Flight operated with a fleet of one Farman Longhorn, three Shorthorns, two Caudrons, four Martinsydes and four BE.2cs.
Following the introduction into service of the 119 kw (160 hp) Beardmore, this engine was installed in the G.100 to improve performance, this becoming the G.102. It became known as the Elephant in the RFC and Tinsydes by the Australian crews, and examples of this model also saw service in the Middle East. This aircraft could carry two 51 kg (112 lb) or one 104 kg (230 lb) bombs in place of the single 51 kg (112 lb) bombs carried by the G.100.
There were many aircraft classed as ‘presentation aircraft’ paid for by members of the public or organizations to help in the war effort and at least one Martinsyde G.102 (serial A1593) was one such aircraft. This and the G.100 were long-range scouts which were used by Australians in Europe. G.100s and G.102s were flown by No 1 Squadron AFC in the Palestine – Sinai Campaign during 1916-18. On 20 March 1917 Martinsyde aircraft of the AFC were bombing a section of railway line at Wadi Hesse, Jordan along with two BE.2cs, using Howitzer shells with delayed fuses. One of the Howitzer shells dropped by Lt A W L Ellis exploded prematurely and he was wounded.
At this time the BE.2c (serial 4479) of Capt D W Rutherford had made a forced landing. Lt F H McNamara (aircraft serial 7486) landed and taxied to the pilot, Rutherford, who climbed on to the engine cowling and, holding on to the rigging wires, an attempt to take-off was commenced. However, the undercarriage was ripped off on the uneven ground. They then crossed back to the BE.2c, started the engine and managed to take-off and return to safety. For his efforts in managing to save a fellow pilot, McNamara was awarded the Victoria Cross. No Martinsyde is known to have reached this region.
Martinsyde G.100s which were operated from October 1916 by C Flight of No 1 Squadron, AFC include serials: 7472, 7476, 7477, 7486, 7487, 7488 and 7489. G.102s include A1583, A1592, A1593, A1595, A1600, A1605, A3944, A3945, A3946, A3947, A3953, A3954 and A3955.