- Gothaer Waggonfabrik
Gothaer Waggonfabrik ("Gotha", GWF) was a German manufacturer of
rolling stock established in the late nineteenth century atWarnemünde . During the two world wars, the company expanded intoaircraft building.In
World War I , Gotha was the manufacturer of a highly successful series ofbomber s based on a 1914 design byOskar Ursinus . From 1917, these aircraft were capable of carrying outstrategic bombing missions overEngland , the first heavier-than-air aircraft used in this role. Several dozen of these bombers were built in a number of subtypes - the Gotha G.I, G.II, G.III, G.IV, and G.V. This last variant was the most prolific, with thirty-six in squadron service at one point.Whilst Germany was prohibited from military aircraft manufacture by the
Treaty of Versailles , Gotha returned to its railway endeavours, but returned to aviation with the rise of the Nazi government and the abandonment of the Treaty's restrictions.Gotha's main contribution to the new
Luftwaffe was theGotha Go 145 trainer, of which 1,182 were built. The firm also produced theGotha Go 242 assaultglider . Perhaps the most famous Gotha product ofWorld War II , however, was an aircraft that never actually entered service, theHorten Ho 229 . This was an exotic jet-powered,flying wing fighter aircraft designed by theHorten brothers , who lacked the facilities to mass-produce it. Two prototypes flew, the third prototype was almost complete and several more where in various stages of manufacture before the end of the war.Following the war, Gotha once again returned to its original purpose, building
tram s andlight rail vehicles in the formerEast Germany .Gotha aircraft included:
*Gotha Go 145 , trainer
*Gotha Go 146 , small transport(twin-engine), 1935
*Gotha Go 147 , STOL reconnaissance (prototype)
*Gotha Go 229 , fighter (flying-wing)
*Gotha Go 242 , transport glider
*Gotha Go 244 , transport
*Gotha Go 345 , assault glider
*Gotha Ka 430 , transport glider
*Gotha Taube, a variation of theRumpler Taube External links
* [http://www.luft46.com/gotha/gotha.html Luft '46]
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