- Linke-Hofmann
Linke-Hofmann was a German
manufacturing company established inBreslau to producelocomotive s androlling stock . DuringWorld War I , it became one of many companies inGermany drawn into theaircraft industry even though they had no prior experience inaircraft design .Linke-Hofmann first entered the aircraft industry by repairing and constructing under license
aircraft such as theRoland C.II a,Albatros C.III , C.X and B.IIa. It should be remembered that in 1916 aircraft design must have seemed very simple, little more than a kite with an engine attached, unlike steam locomotives designs which were mature and complex.In 1916 Linke-Hofmann was awarded a contract to design and build a four engine R-Plane. The R classification is short for Riesenflugzeug (giant aircraft). Two designs were built in prototype form, the R.I and the R.II, but neither proved successful.
ources
* The German Giants, The Story of the R-planes 1914-1919, G.W Haddow & Peter M. Grosz, 1963. Published by Putnam & Company 42 Great Russell Street London
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