AEG G.IV

The AEG G.IV was produced in 1915 and entered frontline service by 1916, seeing action through to the end of the war in 1918.

The G.IV served the German air force in an offensive capacity but was limited by the short range when carrying a crew of three and full bomb load it was used mainly as a tactical bomber between allied lines on the Western Front. Without a bomb load, it was able to be used for long range reconnaisance and aerial photography. The units equipped with the G.IV fought against the Italians on the Southern Fronts to good effect and would even be called upon to complete night bombing missions. About 50 G.IVs were being used for night bombing behind Allied lines in August 1918.

An example was captured almost intact by the Allied forces and evaluated in flight in the UK, where it was found to be deficient in elevator control and extremely difficult to land. The absence of a passenger in the front gunner’s cockpit apparently made the machine almost uncontrollable.

Small numbers were built for assessment by the Schistas at the front. These included the G.IVb with a three bay wing cellule of increased span, and the G.IVK with a 20mm Becker cannon in the nose.

About 500 of the 542 AEG G bombers built were of G.IV type.