Army Gotha “Go 242”

Aeroplane identification poster, published 1942

63 x 47 cm

A particularly unusual style of aeroplane identification poster, owing to the very arty images. Most such posters rely on very plain silhouettes, this series – and we have several in this series; view them here – have a much more arty approach to the task with shading and an interesting angle view.

The Gotha Go 242 was a transport glider used by the Luftwaffe during World War II. It was designed by Albert Kalkert in response to the request for a heavy transport glider to replace the DFS 230 which was then in service. The requirement was for a glider capable of carrying 20 fully laden troops, or equivalent cargo. Two prototypes flew in 1941 and the type quickly entered production, with a total of 1,528 being built.

In service, Go 242s were towed into the air by Heinkel He 111s or Junkers Ju 52s. Most saw service in the Mediterranean, North Africa and Aegean. Ju 87D-2s had strengthened rear fuselage and combined tailwheel and hook for towing the Go 242. Today, there are two surviving 242s – one in the Musée de la Resistance du Vercors in Valence, France, and the other in the Technik Museum and Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr in Berlin, Germany.

Condition: generally very good.

If you are interested, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056.