Gotha Go 244

Gotha · German Reich · first flew 1940 · glider

The Gotha Go 244 was a powered transport version of the Go 242 assault glider, fitted with twin captured French radial engines to give it independent flight capability. It served in small numbers as a Luftwaffe transport.

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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Powered version of the Go 242 assault glider
Twin-boom layout with high straight wing and two radial engines
Used on Eastern Front and Mediterranean as troop transport

Large twin-boom high-wing transport with two radial engines, boxy central cargo fuselage with clamshell rear doors, and twin rectangular tail fins — easily identified by its glider ancestry.

Specifications

The Gotha Go 244 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 + 21 troops or cargo.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Germany had large numbers of Go 242 gliders that could only be deployed by tug aircraft. Fitting engines to create the Go 244 allowed these aircraft to deploy independently, reducing demands on scarce tug aircraft. Around 133 Go 244s were converted or built, using French Gnome-Rhône 14M radials taken from captured stocks. Performance was marginal with a full load.

Variants

The Go 244B was the main powered production variant; several sub-marks with different engine or equipment fits also existed.

Where you'll see it

Operated by the Luftwaffe in the Mediterranean theatre and on the Eastern Front in 1942-43 for troop and supply transport.

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