Wingnut Wings 1/32 Scale Gotha UWD Model Kit

The unique Gotha UWD seaplane was developed from the Gotha G.1 land plane and although only one was ever built, the highly distinctive twin engined Gotha UWD is nevertheless important because it helped set Gothaer Waggonfabrik on the path to building the more conventional seaplanes and bombers that they became famous for. The aircraft that would serve as the prototype Gotha G.1 was designed by Oskar Ursinus (the founder and editor of Flugsport magazine) to the German Army"s Type III aircraft specifications of a 200hp, 3 seater able to fly at over 120kph and carry 450kg for up to 6 hours.

Ursinus proposed the idea of building his Kampfflugzeug (battle plane) to FEA 3 commander Major Friedel in August 1914. The distinctive high fuselage allowed the two 100hp Daimler-Mercedes D.1 engines to be placed as close together as possible to minimize yaw effects should one engine fail. Construction began the following month utilizing Flieger-Ersatz-Abteilung 3 (FEA 3) personnel and the Friedel-Ursinus Kampffugzeug “FU”, having now been given the serial number B.1092/14, took to the air at the end of January 1915. The high position of the partially armour plated fuselage offered great visibility but provided little protection to the crew in the event of a nose over crash. Additionally the fuselage design was considered weak and it was considered to be underpowered. After further evaluation and minor changes “FU” B.1092/14 was sent to the eastern front for operational trials.

• 63cm x 44cm.
• High quality Cartograf decals.
• 274 high quality injection moulded plastic parts.
• 4 photo-etched metal detail parts.
• 160hp Daimler-Mercedes D.III engines.
• 10kg Carbonit bombs & LMG 14 Parabellum machine gun armament.
• Fine in scale rib tape detail.
• Full rigging diagrams.