Gotha Go 345

The Gotha Go 345 was a prototype German Military transport glider of the Second World War. A single example was tested in 1944.[1]

Gotha Go 345
Role	Troop glider
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Gotha
First flight	1944
Number built	One prototype

Variants

Go 345A

The assault transport base-line version, optionally fitted with 2x Argus As014 pulse-jet sustainer engines under the wings.

Go 345B

A dedicated cargo variant with no provision for passengers. A shortened nose swung upwards complete with the crew compartment to gain access to the cargo compartment; one built.

Specifications (Go 345A)

Data from ,[2] German gliders in World War II,[3] Hitler's Luftwaffe[4]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 18 troops / 4,500 kg (10,000 lb) cargo
• Length: 13 m (42 ft 8 in)
• Wingspan: 21 m (68 ft 11 in)
• Height: 4.2 m (13 ft 9 in)
• Wing area: 49.9 m² (537 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 2,470 kg (5,445 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 6,000 kg (13,228 lb)

Performance

• Normal towing speed: 310 km/h (190 mph; 170 kn)
• Maximum towing speed: 370 km/h (230 mph; 200 kn)

References

1. The Virtual Aviation Museum - Gotha Go 345 Archived 2008-08-04 at the Wayback Machine
2. Mrazek, James E. (1977). Fighting gliders of World War II. London: Hale. pp. 48–51. ISBN 978-0-312-28927-0.
3. Nowarra, Heinz J. (1991). German gliders in World War II. West Chester, PA: Schiffer. pp. 38, 47. ISBN 978-0-88740-358-3.
4. Wood, Tony; Gunston, Bill (1977). Hitler's Luftwaffe : a pictorial history and technical encyclopedia of Hitler's air power in World War 2 (2. impr. ed.). London (27 Old Gloucester St., W.C.1): Salamander Books. ISBN 978-0-86101-005-9.CS1 maint: location (link)

Further reading

• Green, William; Punnett, Dennis ( line drawings ) (1970). The warplanes of the Third Reich. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday. ISBN 978-0-385-05782-0.

External links

• Rose, Scott. "Gotha Go 345". www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org. Retrieved 16 March 2018.