Caudron G. III

Flight Journal, Feb 2002 by van Mourik, Dick

With today's state-of-the-art aviation technology, it is easy to forget how the early designers must have struggled. Recently, a fine example of early entrepreneurship-the Caudron G.III-was seen at one of Europe's premier aviation meetings at La Ferte Alais, France.

Designed by Rene and Gaston Caudron, this observer aircraft made its first flight on May 14, 1914; it had been preceded by some 20 more or less successful Caudron designs. The early model G.III shown here doesn't feature ailerons but uses wing warping. The observer and pilot are seated side by side in a short tub that also accommodated the 80hp rotary Le Rhone engine. Some later machines featured a different engine, usually a Gnome or a Clerget. Four beams support the double tail boom, and the tailskids are mounted on the lower ones. The main gear consists of two legs, each comprising two wheels mounted on a separate construction underneath the lower wing.

Originally developed for the Army Air Services, the G.III was serving within the C-11 squadron when WW I started in 1914. During the early stages of the War, it was built in great quantities at the then new factory of Lyon and Issy-les-Moulineaux. It proved to be strong and reliable-qualities that convinced the French air ministry to maintain it in first-line use. It had a stunning career, and though it was not armed, it was popular among those who operated it. As time elapsed, however, its vulnerability became obvious, and it was eventually withdrawn from service halfway through 1916. A total of 2,450 Caudron G.IIIs were built.