Gotha Aircraft: From the London Bomber to the Flying Wing Jet Fighter

The Gothaer Waggonfabrik (GWF) entered the aircraft industry in 1913, driven by a member of the British royal family. They produced successful seaplanes and the world's first asymmetric aircraft, but were forced to abandon aircraft production after the Treaty of Versailles. In 1939, they achieved a world altitude record on the Gotha Go 150. During the war, they developed cargo gliders and built the Messerschmitt Bf 110. In 1954, the aircraft construction ended, and the production consisted of gliders and one last proprietary design.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 20 May 2021
Publisher: Fonthill Media

The Gothaer Waggonfabrik (GWF), originally a German rail vehicle manufacturer, ventured into the aircraft industry in 1913, marking a significant shift in its production capabilities. The driving force behind this monumental transformation in this small Thuringian duchy in central Germany was a member of the British royal family. Gotha aircraft quickly gained recognition on a global scale, much like their counterparts, 'Fokker, in the field of fighter aircraft. The name 'Gotha' became synonymous with German bomber aircraft during the Great War. During this period, the GWF produced not only successful seaplanes but also the world's first asymmetric aircraft. Their aircraft production continued until the post-war Treaty of Versailles forced the abandonment of aircraft manufacturing. It wasn't until 1933 that Gotha saw the resumption of aircraft production. While the GWF secured development contracts for the Luftwaffe, these contracts were primarily incidental and did not involve lucrative mass construction. In 1939, the GWF achieved a world altitude record on the sports aircraft Gotha Go 150, providing a small but internationally significant highlight. During the war, the GWF developed cargo gliders and, under license, built the Messerschmitt Bf 110. In 1945, Gotha was expected to undertake batch production of the flying wing jet fighter, Horten Ho 229, and even designed its more radical successor. However, the aircraft construction finally came to an end in 1954, marking the end of aircraft production at Gotha. From that point on, the production focused solely on gliders, with one final proprietary design being created.

Weight: 564g
Dimension: 180 x 256 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781781557068