The unique German 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. 

The license to build the “FU” Kampfflugzeug was allocated to Gothaer Waggonfabrik in March 1915 and incorporated many changes including 160hp Daimler-Mercedes D.III and 150hp Benz Bz.III engines, nearly equal span wings, bomb carrying capacity, wheel type control column and a modified tailplane. The initial production orders for 6 Gotha G.1 land based aircraft and 1 Ursinus Wasser Doppeldecker (UWD) seaplane were placed in April 1915. To facilitate transport by rail, the fuselage could be disassembled into 3 sections which did nothing to help with structural rigidity. There would only be 18 Gotha G.1 built in total because the fast progressing development of combat aircraft meant that it was considered obsolete shortly after entering service in July and almost all of them had been retired from front line service by February 1916. The UWD was one of several different twin engine seaplanes ordered by the Navy to fit their requirements for a long range reconnaissance and torpedo carrying aircraft. The sole UWD was completed in late December 1915 and given the Naval serial number 120. UWD 120 initially featured an upside down tailplane but this is conspicuously absent from photos taken during its testing at Warnemünde in January and February 1916, having now been re-installed the “right way up”. The UWD was described as easy to fly, able to take to the air with ease and was smooth on landing. Sometime after passing its testing phase, UWD 120 had a “proboscis” bomb dropping tube fixed under its nose, additional windows installed and balanced ailerons fitted. There is currently no evidence to suggest that UWD 120 was ever used to carry a torpedo. Gotha UWD 120 was used to bomb the English coast during 1916 and continued to serve the Navy until it was written off in a crash on 2 October that year. Any history of this interesting aircraft here is of necessity very brief, therefore we encourage you to seek out the references mentioned below for a more thorough understanding.         

The Sopwith Pup was universally liked by the young aviators of the RNAS and RFC charged with flying it. Most Sopwith Pups were powered by a 80hp LeRhone 9c engine (as included in our previous, sold out models, 32013 Sopwith Pup “RFC” & 32016 Sopwith Pup “RNAS”) although many others with fitted with 80hp or 100hp Gnome engines (as supplied in this model) or a Clerget engine. Despite having only one gun, the Pup’s light weight and maneuverability ensured it was a good match for the twin gun armed Albatros D.II, Fokker D.II and Halberstadt fighters it faced in late 1916. At least 29 RFC and RNAS pilots achieved ace status in the Pup with victories claimed over the aforementioned fighters as well as the improved Albatros D.III and D.V, observation balloons, various two seaters, seaplanes and 5 Gotha bombers before being withdrawn from frontline service in the latter stages of 1917.

151high quality injection moulded plastic parts.
-9 photo-etched metal detail parts.
-2 (two) Gnome engines, 1x 80hp & 1x 100hp, included.    
-Optional side cowls, engine cowls, propellers and Le Prieur rockets.
-24 page fully illustrated instruction manual.
-High quality Cartograf decals including markings for 5 colour schemes;