Gotha Go 242
Gotha · Germany · first flew 1941 · glider
The Gotha Go 242 was a German twin-boom assault glider widely used by the Luftwaffe from 1942, designed to carry troops and light vehicles into combat zones.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 15.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
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Spot it by:
- German WWII assault glider with twin-boom tail
- High-wing glider with large rear clamshell loading doors
- Unpowered version; powered Go 244 had radial engines
The twin-boom high-wing layout with large central cargo pod and upward-hinging rear fuselage doors is characteristic; as a glider, the absence of engine nacelles distinguishes the base Go 242 from the powered Go 244.
Specifications
- The Gotha Go 242 has a length of 15.8 m (52 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 24.5 m (80 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 290 km/h (180 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 + up to 21 troops.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service in 1942, the Go 242 was used in the Mediterranean, on the Eastern Front, and in resupply operations. A powered variant, the Go 244, was produced by fitting captured French Gnome-Rhône radial engines to the Go 242 airframe.
Variants
The Go 242A was a cargo version with belly skid; the Go 242B had wheeled undercarriage; the powered Go 244 used twin radial engines and could take off independently.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Luftwaffe on all fronts; the type was used in North Africa for resupply and in the Aegean for amphibious operations.
Related aircraft
- Gotha Go 241
- Gotha Go 244
- Gotha Ka 430
- Gotha Go 146
- Arado Ar 232
- Beechcraft GB-1
- Beechcraft JB-1 Traveller
- Beechcraft JRB-1 Voyager
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