Gotha
Gotha Go 149
The Gotha Go 149 was a German single‑engine, low‑wing monoplane developed by the Gothaer Waggonfabrik (later simply Gotha) in the mid‑1930s as a trainer and light‑sport aircraft. First flying in early 1936, the prototype embodied the company’s transition from its World‑War‑I bomber heritage to peacetime civil aviation, reflecting the evolving German aviation policy under the Reichsluftfahrtministerium. Powered by a 105 hp Hirth HM 504A inverted‑inline engine, the Go 149 featured an all‑metal semi‑monocoque fuselage with fabric‑covered control surfaces, a fixed, spatted undercarriage and a spacious cockpit that could be fitted with dual controls for instruction. Its generous wing area and gentle stall characteristics made it particularly suitable for novice pilots, while the streamlined design offered modest performance—maximum speed around 250 km/h and a service ceiling of 5 500 m. Though only a limited batch of roughly 30 units entered production before production shifted toward military types, the Go 149 played a notable role in preparing Luftwaffe pilots during the pre‑war buildup. It also demonstrated Gotha’s capacity to adapt wartime engineering expertise to civilian training needs, marking a transitional chapter in German aeronautical development.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1936