The Gotha Go 145 was one of the Luftwaffe's most important primary trainers of the Second World War — a robust, docile biplane that introduced thousands of German pilots to flight. This collection brings together six original German-language technical documents covering the aircraft's structure, systems, armament, and training procedures, forming a comprehensive archival reference for historians, restorers, and aviation researchers.
Definitive Collection with Free Lifetime Updates: This is a living collection that we continuously expand and refine. As we acquire additional Go 145 documentation, technical bulletins, or variant-specific materials, we update this collection and provide free lifetime updates to all purchasers. Your one-time purchase guarantees access to all future additions and improvements to this collection.
Historical Note
Designed by Dipl. Ing. Albert Kalkert and built by Gothaer Waggonfabrik, the Go 145 first flew in 1934 as a conventional mixed-construction biplane trainer. Its welded steel tubular fuselage and fabric-covered wooden wings gave it durability and ease of repair in field conditions. The upper wing featured an 11°30' sweepback while the lower wing remained straight, with ailerons on both surfaces. Powered by the Argus As 10C — an 8-cylinder inverted V air-cooled engine producing 240 hp at takeoff — the Go 145 was praised for its docile handling and exceptional stability, making it ideal for ab initio training.
Approximately 1,182 aircraft were built in Germany, with additional license production in Turkey and Spain (as the CASA 1145-L). The Go 145A was the standard open-cockpit trainer; the Go 145B introduced an enclosed cockpit and wheel spats; the Go 145C was adapted for gunnery training with a rear-mounted MG 15. Late in the war, the type was pressed into service as a night harassment bomber, exploiting its low landing speed to operate from small, unlit airfields. A recent reconstruction project by Gothaer Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH has produced a restored Go 145 fuselage using surviving original drawings.
Manuals Included in This Collection
Variant A
- Go 145 A Aircraft Handbook — Flugzeug-Handbuch (German Language)
Armament
- MG 17 Machine Gun Operating Instructions Part 1 — MG 17 Teil 1 (German Language)
- Revi 3a and 3b Reflex Viewfinder Operating Instructions — Bed.-Vorschrift LDv 103 (German Language)
Construction
- Go 145 Construction Manuals (German Language)
Systems
- Go 145 Fuel System Training Manual — Ausbildungsunterlage (German Language)
Slides, Photos and Brochures
- Go 145 Aircraft Technical Brochure — Prospekt (German Language)
This collection spans the Go 145's primary training role through its armament and systems documentation, covering the aircraft from structural construction to operational gunnery equipment. The inclusion of the Revi 3a/3b viewfinder and MG 17 instructions reflects the Go 145C's gunnery training configuration.
Engineering Norms and Standards
The Go 145 was designed and built to Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM) standards governing German military aircraft of the 1930s and 1940s. Construction followed established German mixed-construction practices — welded steel tube primary structure with wooden secondary structure and fabric covering — consistent with contemporary Luftwaffe trainer specifications. The Argus As 10C engine operated under Luftwaffe maintenance and overhaul standards, with fuel consumption and power ratings defined in the original Flugzeug-Handbuch. The MG 17 armament installation conformed to standard Luftwaffe weapons integration procedures of the period.
Further Reading
For a detailed history of the Go 145's evolution from docile trainer to night harassment bomber, read our in-depth article: Gotha Go 145 — From Ubiquitous Trainer to Fearsome Night Bomber.
Format and Delivery
All documents are delivered as high-resolution digital PDF files, available for immediate download upon purchase. Files are optimized for both screen reading and print reproduction, and are compatible with all standard PDF readers on desktop and mobile devices. Documents are provided in their original German language as issued.
Disclaimer
These documents are provided for historical reference and research purposes only. They reflect engineering and operational standards of their original publication dates and should not be used as guidance for any current maintenance, airworthiness, or operational activity. All trade names and designations remain the property of their respective owners. Copyright © Sicuro Publishing.