Gotha Taube LE-3

The Gotha Taube LE‑3 was a continuation of the famed Taube family of monoplanes that first took to the skies in the early 1910s. Developed by the German firm Gotha during the later stages of World War I, the LE‑3 entered production in 1917 as a refinement of earlier reconnaissance models. Its most recognizable trait was the distinctive, bird‑like wing shape that gave the aircraft its name – “Taube” meaning “dove” in German – and provided a high degree of inherent stability at low speeds. Powered by a 120 hp Oberursel U.II rotary engine, the LE‑3 could reach 120 km/h and carry a pilot plus a single observer equipped with a camera or light armament. Structural improvements included a reinforced wooden fuselage, upgraded control cables, and a slightly enlarged fuel tank that extended operational range to roughly 350 km. Although it saw limited front‑line service due to the war’s rapid technological evolution, the Taube LE‑3 played a pivotal role in establishing standard practices for aerial observation and pilot training. Its graceful aerodynamics influenced later German monoplane designs, and the aircraft remains a celebrated example of early 20th‑century innovation in light aviation.