Gotha Go 244

<h2 id="development">Development</h2>
Development of the Go 244 has its origins in the widely used <a href="/facts/Gotha_Go_242/wKKybW2t">Gotha Go 242</a> <a href="/facts/Military_glider/fhlJ2oog">military glider</a>, specifically the Go 242B model.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1">1</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2">2</a> Studies for powered versions of the Go 242 had commenced relatively early in the design of the glider; one early proposal involved a modification that would have facilitated the temporary attachment of a single <a href="/facts/Argus_As_10/lELPFmvq">Argus As 10C</a> engine to the nose of the glider, which would have allowed for its recovery back to base after use. This concept was ultimately rejected, however, the alternative proposal of a permanently powered twin-engined version of the aircraft was taken forward.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3">3</a> A key factor in the emergence of the Go 244 had been the <a href="/facts/Armistice_of_22_June_1940/1GNDckPm">fall of France</a> in June 1940. Amongst other effects, Germany gained access to France's aviation industry and its supply chain, which meant that the <a href="/facts/Luftwaffe/k7PAsBlo">Luftwaffe</a> suddenly had access to a sizable number of captured <a href="/facts/Gnome-Rh%C3%B4ne_14M/rUq5bwbT">Gnome-Rhône 14M</a> <a href="/facts/Radial_engine/tS0ljlb7">radial engines</a> that several officials were keen to make use of.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a>
A total of three Go 242s were modified as prototypes of the powered Go 244, fitted with varying surplus radial engines. The first prototype, the Go 244 V1 was powered by two 660 hp (490 kW) <a href="/facts/BMW_132/o2smkSFV">BMW 132</a>, while the second prototype had 700 hp (520 kW) Gnome-Rhône 14Ms — and the third 750 hp (560 kW) <a href="/facts/Shvetsov_M-25/XhN0x964">Shvetsov M-25</a> A engines, with this model of <a href="/facts/Aviadvigatel/glJ823f5">Shvetsov</a> <a href="/facts/OKB/Tf3D8le0">OKB</a> engine design being essentially a Soviet-built <a href="/facts/Wright_R-1820/omQKlIo7">Wright Cyclone</a> American-based nine-cylinder radial. Although only the third Gnome-equipped prototype offered adequate engine out performance, the ample stocks of these engines led to it being selected as the basis for the production conversion — usually fitted in <a href="/facts/Counter-rotating_propellers/tA0K5mYR">counter-rotating</a> pairs in production — although a few more aircraft were fitted with the BMW and Shvetsov engines.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a>
In August 1941, the Luftwaffe took delivery of the first Go 244A aircraft for trials purposes.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a> However, it would be the Go 244B that would be the principal production model; it featured a wheeled tricycle undercarriage and accommodated both fuel and oil within the tailbooms.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a>
An initial run of 133 aircraft were produced through the conversion of existing Go 242Bs.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a> Separately, a further 41 Go 244s were constructed using new airframes. However, officials ultimately decided against producing further Go 244s in order that the assembly lines could be reverted to producing more Go 242 gliders instead.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a> One senior Luftwaffe official that had openly criticised the Go 244 was <a href="/facts/Generalfeldmarschall/IYEvNyD5">Generalfeldmarschall</a> <a href="/facts/Erhard_Milch/MAEq4NCQ">Erhard Milch</a>, who claimed it to be faulty, lacking sufficient range, and of limited application.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a>
Several proposals and plans were mooted for the further development of the Go 244. One area of interest was the creation of single-engined variants; these would have been powered by either a nose-mounted Argus As 10C or <a href="/facts/Junkers_Jumo_211/pwUDFppu">Junkers Jumo 211</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a> During 1944, the company's designer team directed their attention towards the <a href="/facts/Gotha_Go_345/8PM79mVh">Gotha Go 345</a> transport glider instead.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a>

<h2 id="operational-history">Operational history</h2>
During March 1942, the first examples of the Go 244 were delivered to operational units stationed in <a href="/facts/Crete/VSqxTU9u">Crete</a>, <a href="/facts/Greece/lqHw8bTB">Greece</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a> Furthermore, several aircraft were assigned to transport Geschwader in <a href="/facts/North_Africa_Campaign/nDYFvCVF">North Africa</a>, however, their use in this theatre was limited to only a few months after the Go 244 proved to be vulnerable to Allied fighter aircraft and <a href="/facts/Anti-aircraft/fHtGQpLy">anti-aircraft</a> fire alike. The type also saw action against the <a href="/facts/Soviet_Union/m7wWsPto">Soviets</a> on the <a href="/facts/Eastern_Front_(World_War_II)/W05zyTMj">Eastern Front</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a> It was used both as a troop transport and to carry freight.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a> In Luftwaffe service, the Go 244 was effectively replaced by a combination of <a href="/facts/Junkers_Ju_52/G6uYWu2j">Junkers Ju 52</a> or <a href="/facts/Messerschmitt_Me_323/Dqfwa6tg">Messerschmitt Me 323</a> aircraft.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20">20</a>

<h2 id="variants">Variants</h2>
<ul><li>Go 244 A-1 - prototype, using the BMW 132 radial engine</li>
<li>Go 244 B-1 - production version, with fixed landing gear</li>
<li>Go 244 B-2 - B-1 with improved landing gear including a larger semi-retractable nose wheel</li>
<li>Go 242 B-3 - paratroop-carrying version of B-1 with double rear doors</li>
<li>Go 244 B-4 - paratroop-carrying version of B-2 with doors of B-3 and landing gear of B-2</li>
<li>Go 244 B-5 - training version with dual controls</li></ul>
<h2 id="specifications-go-244-b-1">Specifications (Go 244 B-1)</h2>

Data from Gotha's Twin-Boom Troopers<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21">21</a>General characteristics
<ul><li>Crew: 1 or 2 pilots</li>
<li>Capacity: up to 23 troops or freight</li>
<li>Length: 15.8 m (51 ft 10 in)</li>
<li>Wingspan: 24.5 m (80 ft 5 in)</li>
<li>Height: 4.7 m (15 ft 5 in)</li>
<li>Wing area: 64.4 m2 (693 sq ft)</li>
<li>Empty weight: 5,100 kg (11,244 lb)</li>
<li>Gross weight: 7,800 kg (17,196 lb)</li>
<li>Powerplant: 1 × <a href="/facts/Gnome-Rh%C3%B4ne_14M-04/rUq5bwbT">Gnome-Rhône 14M-04</a> 14-cylinder two-row air-cooled radial piston engine (rh rotation), 520 kW (700 hp)</li>
<li>Powerplant: 1 × <a href="/facts/Gnome-Rh%C3%B4ne_14M-05/rUq5bwbT">Gnome-Rhône 14M-05</a> 14-cylinder two-row air-cooled radial piston engine (lh rotation), 520 kW (700 hp)</li>
<li>Propellers: 3-bladed variable-pitch propellers (lh & rh rotation)</li></ul>
Performance

<ul><li>Maximum speed: 290 km/h (180 mph, 160 kn) at 3,000 m (9,800 ft)</li>
<li>Range: 600 km (370 mi, 320 nmi)</li>
<li>Ferry range: 740 km (460 mi, 400 nmi)</li>
<li>Service ceiling: 7,500 m (24,600 ft)</li>
<li>Time to altitude: 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in three minutes</li></ul>
Armament

<ul><li>Guns: 3× 7.92 mm (0.312 in) <a href="/facts/MG_15_machine_gun/vLIxx6lz">MG 15</a> or <a href="/facts/MG_81_machine_gun/mqayqBqP">MG 81</a> machine guns</li></ul>
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>

Related development

<ul><li><a href="/facts/Gotha_Go_242/wKKybW2t">Go 242</a></li></ul>
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

<ul><li><a href="/facts/Fairchild_C-82_Packet/3QChEker">Fairchild C-82 Packet</a></li></ul>

Related lists

<ul><li><a href="/facts/List_of_World_War_II_military_aircraft_of_Germany/rlnnfWxT">List of World War II military aircraft of Germany</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/List_of_military_aircraft_of_Germany/1uNa0zE1">List of military aircraft of Germany</a></li></ul>

<h3>Citations</h3>

<h3>Bibliography</h3>
<ul><li>Bishop, Chris; Ford, Roger (2002). The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II. Sterling. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 1-5866-3762-2.</li>
<li>Chant, Chris (1999). Aircraft of World War II. London, UK: Brown Books. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 1-8978-8446-X.</li>
<li>Ford, Roger (2013). Germany's Secret Weapons of World War II. London, UK: Amber Books. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 9781909160569.</li>
<li>"Gotha's Twin-Boom Troopers". <a href="/facts/Air_International/NY3Krxq6">Air International</a>. 37 (6): 286–292, 309. December 1989.</li>
<li>Griehl, Manfred (2012). X-Planes: German Luftwaffe Prototypes 1930-1945. Pen and Sword. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-7830-3419-2.</li>
<li>Lepage, Jean-Denis G.G. (2009). <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=hdQBTcscxyQC">Aircraft of the Luftwaffe, 1935-1945: An Illustrated Guide</a>. McFarland. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-0-7864-5280-4.</li>
<li>Metzmacher, Andreas (2021). Gotha Aircraft 1913-1954: From the London Bomber to the Flying Wing Jet Fighter. Brimscombe, Stroud, UK: Fonthill. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-78155-706-8.</li>
<li>Munson, Kenneth (1978). German Aircraft Of World War 2 in colour. Poole, Dorsett, UK: Blandford Press. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 0-7137-0860-3.</li>
<li>Rottman, Gordon L. (2014). World War II Glider Assault Tactics. Bloomsbury. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-7820-0775-3.</li>
<li>Smith, John Richard; Kay, Antony L. (1972). German Aircraft of the Second World War. London, UK: Putnam. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 0-3700-0024-2.</li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 219. <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">Lepage 2009, pp. 354-355. <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">Air International December 1989, p. 291. <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 219. <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">Lepage 2009, p. 355. <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">Air International December 1989, pp. 291–292. <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 219. <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">Griehl 2012, p. 315. <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">Air International December 1989, p. 292. <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">Ford 2013, [page needed]. <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources" target="_blank">/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">Rottman 2014, [page needed]. <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources" target="_blank">/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">Air International December 1989, p. 309. <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">Metzmacher 2021, [page needed] <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources" target="_blank">/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">Bishop and Ford 2002, p. 408. <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 219. <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 219. <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:17">Munson 1978, p. 69. - Munson, Kenneth (1978). German Aircraft Of World War 2 in colour. Poole, Dorsett, UK: Blandford Press. ISBN 0-7137-0860-3. <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:18">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 219. <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:19">Lepage 2009, p. 355. <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:20">Bishop and Ford 2002, p. 408. <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:21">Air International December 1989, pp. 288. <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

Gotha Go 244 open-in-new

Gotha Go 244