Gotha Go 145

The Gotha Go 145 was a German biplane trainer developed in the early 1930s and built by the Albert Kalkert‑owned Gothaer Waggonfabrik. Designed as a replacement for the aging de Havilland DH.60 Moth, the Go 145 entered production in 1934 and quickly became the Luftwaffe’s principal primary trainer. Its conventional two‑seat, open‑cockpit layout featured a sturdy welded‑steel tube fuselage, wooden wings with fabric covering, and a fixed, split‑type landing gear. Power was supplied by a 240 hp Argus As 10 inline engine, giving a maximum speed of roughly 200 km/h and a service ceiling near 5,800 m, sufficient for basic flight instruction and aerobatic training. The aircraft’s forgiving handling, robust structure, and simple maintenance made it ideal for novice pilots, and it also saw extensive use as a light attack platform during the Spanish Civil War and the early years of World War II, where it carried bombs or machine‑gun pods. Over 1,200 examples were built, and many survived the war to serve civilian clubs. The Go 145’s legacy lies in its contribution to the rapid expansion of German pilot training and in demonstrating how a modest, well‑engineered trainer can fulfil both instructional and combat roles.

Albert Kalkert

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