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GOTHA Go 244



Type: Assault/Troop Transport
Origin: Gothaer Waggonfabrik AG
Models: Go 244B
Crew: 1 or 2 pilots; 23 troops
First Flight: N/A
Service Delivery: N/A
Final Delivery: 1943
Production: 133 converted from Go 242

Engine:
Model: Gnome-Rhône 14M4/5
Type: 14-Cylinder Radial
Number: Two      Horsepower: 700 hp
Sometimes BMW 132Z or Russian M-25A engines installed.

Dimensions:
Wing span: 80 ft. 4½ in. (24.50m)
Length: 51 ft 10 in. (15.81m)
Height: 15 ft. 5 in. (14.70m)
Wing Surface Area: 693.22 sq. ft. (64.40m²)

Weights:
Empty: 11,245 lbs. (5100 kg)
Maximum: 17,198 lbs. (7800 kg)

  Performance:
Maximum Speed: 180 mph (290 kph)
Cruise speed:
– 168 mph (270 kph) at 3,900 m (12,795 ft)
Rate Of Climb:
  5,000 m/min (16,405 ft/min)
Service Ceiling: 24,605 ft. (7500m)
Range at sea level: 272 Miles (600 km)

Armament:
Four 7.92mm MG 15 Machine guns.

Variants:
Go 244A-1
Prototype, using the BMW 132 radial engine

Go 244B-1
Production version, with fixed landing gear

Go 244B-2
B-1 with improved landing gear including a larger semi-retractable nose wheel

Go 242B-3
Paratroop-carrying version of B-1 with double rear doors

Go 244B-4
Paratroop-carrying version of B-2 with doors of B-3 and landing gear of B-2

Go 244B-5
Training version with dual controls




Comments
The Go 244 was the powered version of the Gotha Go 242. After the fall of France, the German army came across large stockpiles of the Gnome-Rhône 14M radial engines. It was decided to use these engines to modify Go 242 gliders, the modification also added a tricycle undercarriage. They hoped that by doing this they would be able to increase the performance as well as operational versatility. But the engines proved to be underpowered. After the invasion of Russia in June 1941, the Germans captured large stockpiles of the Shvetsov M-25A radial engines. But they proved to be just as underpowered as the French engines. The A series of the Go 244 were prototypes and some were powered by BMW 132 radial engines. The B series was the main production model. 43 were built as full production models and 133 were converted from Go 242B.

Sources:
Gunston, Bill & Wood, Tony - Hitler's Luftwaffe, 1977, Salamander Books Ltd., London
Source: Wikipedia

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