Production and Manufacturer History
The Gotha Go 241 was developed by Gothaer Waggonfabrik AG (GWF), a company based in Gotha, Thuringia, Germany. Originally established as a manufacturer of rail vehicles, GWF transitioned into aviation in 1913 and became well-known for producing heavy bombers during World War I. Following the Treaty of Versailles, the company was forced to cease aircraft production, a restriction that remained in place until 1933. Upon re-entering the aviation sector, GWF secured various development contracts for the Luftwaffe. While the company later produced cargo gliders like the Go 242 and licensed Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighters, the Go 241 remained a limited project. Only one prototype was ever constructed, as the demands of World War II led to the cancellation of the program before it could reach series production.
Design and Technical Specifications
Designed as a derivative of the Gotha Go 150, the Go 241 was intended for use as a light transport and touring aircraft. The design focused on passenger comfort, featuring an enclosed cabin that accommodated four people in a 2+2 configuration: a pilot and co-pilot or passenger seated side-by-side in the front, with two additional passengers seated side-by-side behind them. This layout distinguished the Go 241 from more utilitarian trainers or liaison aircraft of the era, positioning it as a private or business aircraft concept.
Regarding its powerplant, the prototype was equipped with two Hirth HM 506A engines. These were six-cylinder, inverted in-line, air-cooled piston engines, each producing 160 hp (119 kW) of take-off power. Although the design team initially considered using two BMW/Bramo Sh 14A radial engines, this configuration was not adopted for the flying prototype.
Service History and Legacy
Because the Go 241 never entered production, it saw no formal military or commercial service. It did not serve with the Luftwaffe or any civil airline, remaining exclusively a factory and test aircraft. The sole prototype was lost in 1944, and no records of the specific circumstances surrounding its loss are available.
The aircraft represents a transitional period for Gotha, linking the Go 149 trainer and the record-breaking Go 150—which set a world altitude record in 1939—to the company's later wartime efforts. Gothaer Waggonfabrik eventually ceased all aircraft construction in 1954 and is now considered a defunct aviation manufacturer. No examples of the Go 241 survive today in museums or private collections.