Gotha Go 244. The Gotha Go 244 was a transport aircraft designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Gotha. It was operated by the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. It was the powered version of the Gotha Go 242 military glider transport.

While studies into a powered model of the Go 242 had commenced relatively early in the glider's development, one of the major factors in what would become the Go 244 was the German's capturing of a large quantity of Gnome-Rhône 14M radial engines following the fall of France in June 1940. A total of thee prototypes were created by modifying Go 242s; these were fitted with various engines, such as the BMW 132 and the Shvetsov M-25 A engines. Despite the unimpressive performed of the Gnome engines, Luftwaffe officials were keen to make use of existing inventory, thus the majority of production standard Go 244s were powered by this engine.

The first Go 244s were delivered to operational units based in Crete, Greece in March 1942; the type would also see action in both North Africa and the Eastern Front. Far less Go 244s were constructed in comparison to the Go 242, which officials ultimately decided to focus their production capacity upon instead. Some figures, such as Generalfeldmarschall Erhard Milch, criticised the aircraft as being defective, lacking sufficient range, and operationally limited. A mixture of Junkers Ju 52 or Messerschmitt Me 323 transport aircraft supplemented and eventually replaced the Go 244 in Luftwaffe service.

Development
Development of the Go 244 has its origins in the widely used Gotha Go 242 military glider, specifically the Go 242B model. 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 Argus As 10C 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 key factor in the emergence of the Go 244 had been the fall of France in June 1940. Amongst other effects, Germany gained access to France's aviation industry and its supply chain, which meant that the Luftwaffe suddenly had access to a sizable number of captured Gnome-Rhône 14M radial engines that several officials were keen to make use of.

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  BMW 132, while the second prototype had  Gnome-Rhône 14Ms — and the third  Shvetsov M-25 A engines, with this model of Shvetsov OKB engine design being essentially a Soviet-built Wright Cyclone 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 counter-rotating pairs in production — although a few more aircraft were fitted with the BMW and Shvetsov engines.

In August 1941, the Luftwaffe took delivery of the first Go 244A aircraft for trials purposes. 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.

An initial run of 133 aircraft were produced through the conversion of existing Go 242Bs. 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. One senior Luftwaffe official that had openly criticised the Go 244 was Generalfeldmarschall Erhard Milch, who claimed it to be faulty, lacking sufficient range, and of limited application.

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 Junkers Jumo 211. During 1944, the company's designer team directed their attention towards the Gotha Go 345 transport glider instead.

Operational history
During March 1942, the first examples of the Go 244 were delivered to operational units stationed in Crete, Greece. Furthermore, several aircraft were assigned to transport Geschwader in North Africa, 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 anti-aircraft fire alike. The type also saw action against the Soviets on the Eastern Front. It was used both as a troop transport and to carry freight. In Luftwaffe service, the Go 244 was effectively replaced by a combination of Junkers Ju 52 or Messerschmitt Me 323 aircraft.

Variants
 Go 244 A-1 - prototype, using the BMW 132 radial engine
 Go 244 B-1 - production version, with fixed landing gear
 Go 244 B-2 - B-1 with improved landing gear including a larger semi-retractable nose wheel
 Go 242 B-3 - paratroop-carrying version of B-1 with double rear doors
 Go 244 B-4 - paratroop-carrying version of B-2 with doors of B-3 and landing gear of B-2
 Go 244 B-5 - training version with dual controls

Specifications (Go 244 B-1)

See also

References

Citations

Bibliography
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1940s German military transport aircraft
Go 244
High-wing aircraft
Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft