The first bombers Bomber

albatros f-2, first aircraft used bomber

in 1912, during first balkan war, bulgarian air force pilot christo toprakchiev suggested use of aircraft drop bombs (called grenades in bulgarian army @ time) on turkish positions. captain simeon petrov developed idea , created several prototypes adapting different types of grenades , increasing payload.

on 16 october 1912, observer prodan tarakchiev dropped 2 of bombs on turkish railway station of karağaç (near besieged edirne) albatros f.2 aircraft piloted radul milkov, first time in campaign. deemed first use of aircraft bomber.

bristol t.b.8, first purpose-built british bomber, 1913

the first heavier-than-air aircraft purposely designed bombing italian caproni ca 30 , british bristol t.b.8, both of 1913. bristol t.b.8 british single engined biplane built bristol aeroplane company. fitted prismatic bombsight in front cockpit , cylindrical bomb carrier in lower forward fuselage capable of carrying twelve 10 lb (4.5 kg) bombs, dropped singly or salvo required.

the aircraft purchased use both royal naval air service , royal flying corps (rfc), , 3 t.b.8s, being displayed in paris during december 1913 fitted bombing equipment, sent france following outbreak of war. under command of charles rumney samson, bombing attack on german gun batteries @ middelkerke, belgium executed on 25 november 1914.

the dirigible, or airship, developed in 20th century. airships prone disaster, airship became more dependable, more rigid structure , stronger skin. prior outbreak of war, zeppelins, larger , more streamlined form of airship designed german count ferdinand von zeppelin, outfitted carry bombs attack targets @ long range. these first long range, strategic bombers. although german air arm strong, total of 123 airships end of war, vulnerable attack , engine failure, navigational issues. german airships inflicted little damage on 51 raids, 557 britons killed , 1,358 injured. german navy lost 53 of 73 airships, , german army lost 26 of 50 ships.

caproni ca.3, italian world war heavy bomber, 1915.

the caproni ca 30 built gianni caproni in italy. twin-boom biplane 3 67 kw (80 hp) gnome rotary engines , first flew in october 1914. test flights revealed power insufficient , engine layout unworkable, , caproni adopted more conventional approach installing 3 81 kw (110 hp) fiat a.10s. improved design bought italian army , delivered in quantity august 1915.

while used trainer, avro 504s briefly used bombers @ start of first world war royal naval air service (rnas) when used raids on german airship sheds.