description Göppingen Gö 3 Minimoa Overview
The Göppingen Gö 3 Minimoa is a German single-seat sailplane first flown in 1935, designed by the Schempp-Hirth company for high-performance soaring and aerobatics. Its distinctive gull wing provided improved visibility and handling. A Minimoa set a world glider altitude record of 6,687 meters in 1938, and the type was widely used in competition flying through the mid-20th century.
help Göppingen Gö 3 Minimoa FAQ
Why does the Gö 3 Minimoa have gull-shaped wings?
The Minimoa's distinctive gull wing raises the inner wing sections before the outer panels angle downward. The design contributed to the sailplane's recognizable profile and gave its pilot useful visibility around the wing roots.
Who built the Göppingen Gö 3 Minimoa?
The Minimoa was designed and produced in Germany by Schempp-Hirth. It first flew in 1935, during an important period in the development of high-performance soaring aircraft.
Could the Minimoa perform aerobatics as well as soar?
Yes, the single-seat Minimoa was used for both cross-country soaring and glider aerobatics. Its historic reputation also includes record-setting altitude flights, although surviving aircraft are now generally flown with preservation and age-related operating limits in mind.
Are any Gö 3 Minimoa gliders still flying?
Yes, several restored Minimoas remain in museums or airworthy vintage-glider collections. Because the type dates from the 1930s and uses predominantly wooden construction, continued flight depends on careful inspection and restoration.
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