Gotha G.IV

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The Gotha G.IV was a heavy bomber used by the Luftstreitkräfte (Imperial German Air Service) during World War I. Implemented to replace the flawed Gotha G.III, the G.IV improved on its predecessor with less restrictive fields of fire for its on board gunners through use of the "Gotha Tunnel" which allowed them to fire their machine guns at targets below and behind the aircraft, improving defensive capabilities. Other improvements included a fully-skinned plywood airframe and additional ailerons for enhanced lateral control. Around 230 aircraft were built between 1916 and 1917.

The Gotha G.IV's main function was strategic bombing, with its first mission being the strategic bombing of the city of London in March 1917.

Battlefield 1

Gotha G.IV
Crew	• 1 pilot • 2 gunners (3 total)
Speed	Moderate
Maneuvering	Low
Armor type	None
Gunner weapons
Primary weapon	1x 7.92mm Parabellum MG 14 Light MG (Seat 2)
Second Gunner weapons
Primary weapon	1x 20mm Becker Type M2 autocannon (Seat 3)

Barrage Bomber
Driver Weapons
Primary weapon	250kg demolition bomb ×2
Secondary weapon	50kg HE bomb ×8
Customization
Sensors	Spotting Camera

Firestorm Bomber
Driver Weapons
Primary weapon	10kg fire bomb ×9
Secondary weapon	10kb fragmentation bomb ×16
Customization
Countermeasures	Wing Emergency Repair

Torpedo Bomber
Driver Weapons
Primary weapon	Torpedo
Secondary weapon	115kg demolition bomb ×2
Customization
Countermeasures	Wing Emergency Repair

The Gotha G.IV is a bomber featured in Battlefield 1. The vehicle has slots for three passengers - one pilot and two gunners.

The pilot can drop various kinds of bomb: demolition bombs and high explosive bombs for destroying vehicles and structures, fragmentation and fire bombs for clearing infantry, and torpedos for attacking naval targets. The heavy bombs are impact-fused, while the light bombs explode some time after landing.

A Bomb Sight activated by pressing Aim allows the pilot to line up potential targets. Although imprecise, it automatically adjusts for the altitude and orientation of the plane, and engine speed. A Spotting Camera allows the crew to more easily find targets. An ability seen during the Closed Alpha allows the pilot to drop flares of yet-unknown purpose.

The second seat is assigned to the rear gunner, who uses a Parabellum MG 14 to protect the bomber's rear. The Gotha's fuselage allows the rear gunner to see through and fire downward at planes chasing from the rear, or at infantry lingering in the pilot's bombing zone. Side restraints limit the rear gunner's lateral coverage.

Third seat is assigned to a nose gunner manning a Becker Type M2 for attacking ground targets. It offers much more vertical coverage than the rear gun.

The plane's low power-to-weight ratio and low maneuverability can make it difficult to recover if parts are damaged or if speed falls below the stall speed. Its wide wingspan also makes it perilous to maneuver at low altitude or around tall terrain.

Gallery

The Gotha G.IV during the EA Play livestream

The Pilot's first-person view