Martinsyde R.G.

Derived from the Elephant via a single-bay experimental variant of the earlier design by A A Fletcher, the R.G. bore a close resemblance to its predecessor and was initially flown late in 1916 with a 190hp Rolls-Royce Falcon I 12-cylinder water-cooled engine. Armament comprised a fixed 7.7mm Vickers gun on the port upper longeron, outside the cabane struts, and a Lewis gun on the starboard side of the cockpit. After official trials in February 1917, the R.G. was revised in a number of respects. The cockpit was moved aft and the centre section cut-out was enlarged. The span of the lower wing was reduced and the rear top decking was raised. Armament was changed and consisted of two 7.7mm Vickers guns immediately in front of the cockpit, and a 275hp Falcon III engine was fitted. In this form, the R.G. had, according to the official report, a "performance ... far and away better than any other machine manufactured". However, development was discontinued in favour of the superior F.3.

3-View

A three-view drawing (1280 x 924)