FS98 Albatros G.III Grosskampfflugzeug, 1917
============================================Stephan Scholz, April 2007.

Installation:
=============
Unzip AlbatrG3 into a temporary directory and copy the Albatros G.III file
into the main FS98 aircraft directory.
Unzip the guages.zip file into the main FS98 guages directory.

The virtual Albatros G.III Grosskampfflugzeug.
==============================================
The model is based on one single photograph from Rosebud´s WW1 and Early
Aviation Page and on the Vitrual Aircraft Museum page. The latter also
included the necessary technical specifications.

As other aircraft built by Abatros Flugzeugwerke, such as the single-engined C.V and the C.VII biplane fighters, the Albatros G.III had a streamlined, elegant design, with rounded tail and wing surfaces, and a rounded nose.

The model is built with AF99 and animated with Abacus Aircraft Animator
(ailerons, rudder and elevator). It features features hollowed-out flight
deck with two landing-aid windows on each side, as well as hollowed-out
fore and aft gunner wells.

The model has a surprisingly low bleedthrough incidence. Splitting up the
wings into front and rear sections, and placing the rear ones into the tail right/left groups, prevented the pusher propellers, which are also placed there, from bleeding through the wings.

The "L" button for the lights will toggle the crew and machine guns.

Flight Dynamics:
----------------
Similar to those from the Rumpler G.II, as the plane had identical engines
and very similar weights and dimensions. As usual for this type of aircraft, apply fuyll power, and the aircraft will take off by itself without the need for rotation at about 40 Kt.

Textures:
---------
These are by Udo Entenman. From the dark colouring in the black and white
photo available, I deduce that the colour scheme of this aircraft could be
a darkish blue night-bomber livery, or even khaki green or dark brown, but
at any rate, light grey or beige can be discarded.

Panel:
------
Custom panel with very simple instrument layout, as was usual in those times. The scarce working gauges are some standard FS98 gauges and some third-party instruments whose origin I have unfortunately lost track of, and whose authors have done a great job creating them.

Sounds:
-------
Default Sopwith Camel sounds, but the ones from the Rumpler G.I are recommended.


History: Alatros G.III Grosskampfflugzeug.
==========================================
The Albatros G.III was a very little-known medium-sized tactical bomber biplane produced by Albatros Flugzeugwerke of Johannisthal, Berlin. It was the limited production version of their 1916 G.II prototype. Made of wood and fabric, it was powered by two fully cowled specification 220 hp Benz Bz IV pusher engines rated at 230 hp mounted on the lower wings.

An interesting feature of the design was that the trailing-edges of the inner sections of the lower wings were cut away to allow the engines and large propellers to be fitted further forward on the wings than would otherwise have been possible.

Armament comprised two Parabellum machine-guns, one each in nose and rear gunner wells, and 704 lb of bombs. It entered service in Macedonia and elsewhere in 1917. Some units probably served with Bombgeschwader 1 in Macedonia alongside another little-known tactical bomber, the Rumpler G Series. Very little else is known.

Albatros G.III, Large combat aircraft, Germany, 1917
-----------------------------------------------------
Total Length : 39 ft
Greatest height : 13 ft 10 i
Wingspan : 59 ft
Wing area : 850 sq
Max take off weight : 6300 lb
Weight empty : 4540 lb
Payload : 704 lb
Max. speed : 81 kt
Cruising speed : 76 kt
Range : 324
Engines : 2 x 220 Hp Benz Bz IV (rated at 230 hp)
Crew : 3
Armament : 2* MG 7,9mm,


Legal stuff:
------------
This aircraft and panel are freeware, created solely for the enjoyment of the flight simming community. No responsibility is taken for any loss or damage incurred directly or indirectly from its use. The original unaltered files may be freely distributed, uploaded, downloaded and shared. Please maintain proper credit, of course, and make no financial gain whatsoever!

Enjoy it!

Stephan Scholz
aleatorylamp@vfemail.net April 2007