Fritz Gosslau
Encyclopedia
Fritz Gosslau was a German engineer, known for his work on the V-1 flying bomb
.
. In 1926, he obtained his PhD on the topic Rechnerische und experimentelle Untersuchungen über Wärmebeherrschung und Leistungssteigerung in luftgekühlten Flugmotorenzylindern – calculated and experimental studies on heat control and performance improvement in air-cooled aircraft engine cylinders.
s at Siemens
. When the company abandoned production of aircraft engines, he moved to Argus Motoren Gesellschaft
. Gosslau was part of the construction team of the Argus As 410
and 411
engines. He was also involved in the construction of a 24 cylinder air-cooled engine that developed 3,500 horsepower.
In early 1937, Gosslau developed proposals for a remote, unmanned missile
for special military use. This remote target aircraft completed its maiden flight on 14 July 1939. On 9 November 1939, he proposed the development of a motorized wing-mounted missile providing a range of several hundred kilometers, and through radio-navigation, a high accuracy. For this missile, Gosslau used a pulse jet engine
(Pulsationsschubrohres). By the start of production, he had developed this into a highly reliable unit.
From 1942, Gosslau participated in the development team of the Fieseler Fi 103
, also called V1 – an unmanned, explosive payload missile. Towards the end of World War II
, Gosslau became involved with its construction as a suicide weapon, and his name is connected with the establishment of the Leonidas Squadron
.
After the war, Gosslau joined Dürkopp, the motorcycle manufacturer, where he was chief designer from 1948. In 1954, he moved to the Heinkel Flugzeugwerke
(aircraft manufacturer) and took over the development of new engines. In 1958, after the engine development branches of Heinkel and Messerschmitt
were acquired by Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke
(aircraft and engine manufacturer), Gosslau became a director of Junkers until 1963, when they were converted to a stock company
, a technical board of the Munich
-based company.
V-1 flying bomb
The V-1 flying bomb, also known as the Buzz Bomb or Doodlebug, was an early pulse-jet-powered predecessor of the cruise missile....
.
Study
In 1923 Gosslau completed his engineering studies by gaining a diploma from the Technical University of BerlinTechnical University of Berlin
The Technische Universität Berlin is a research university located in Berlin, Germany. Translating the name into English is discouraged by the university, however paraphrasing as Berlin Institute of Technology is recommended by the university if necessary .The TU Berlin was founded...
. In 1926, he obtained his PhD on the topic Rechnerische und experimentelle Untersuchungen über Wärmebeherrschung und Leistungssteigerung in luftgekühlten Flugmotorenzylindern – calculated and experimental studies on heat control and performance improvement in air-cooled aircraft engine cylinders.
Work
During the 1930s, Gosslau worked on the development of aircraft engineAircraft engine
An aircraft engine is the component of the propulsion system for an aircraft that generates mechanical power. Aircraft engines are almost always either lightweight piston engines or gas turbines...
s at Siemens
Siemens
Siemens may refer toSiemens, a German family name carried by generations of telecommunications industrialists, including:* Werner von Siemens , inventor, founder of Siemens AG...
. When the company abandoned production of aircraft engines, he moved to Argus Motoren Gesellschaft
Argus Motoren
Argus Motoren was a German manufacturing firm known for their series of small inverted-V engines and the V-1 pulse jet engine.-History:...
. Gosslau was part of the construction team of the Argus As 410
Argus As 410
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9* Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1989. ISBN 0-517-67964-7...
and 411
Argus As 411
-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9* Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1989. ISBN 0-517-67964-7...
engines. He was also involved in the construction of a 24 cylinder air-cooled engine that developed 3,500 horsepower.
In early 1937, Gosslau developed proposals for a remote, unmanned missile
Cruise missile
A cruise missile is a guided missile that carries an explosive payload and is propelled, usually by a jet engine, towards a land-based or sea-based target. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high accuracy...
for special military use. This remote target aircraft completed its maiden flight on 14 July 1939. On 9 November 1939, he proposed the development of a motorized wing-mounted missile providing a range of several hundred kilometers, and through radio-navigation, a high accuracy. For this missile, Gosslau used a pulse jet engine
Pulse jet engine
A pulse jet engine is a type of jet engine in which combustion occurs in pulses. Pulsejet engines can be made with few or no moving parts, and are capable of running statically....
(Pulsationsschubrohres). By the start of production, he had developed this into a highly reliable unit.
From 1942, Gosslau participated in the development team of the Fieseler Fi 103
V-1 flying bomb
The V-1 flying bomb, also known as the Buzz Bomb or Doodlebug, was an early pulse-jet-powered predecessor of the cruise missile....
, also called V1 – an unmanned, explosive payload missile. Towards the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Gosslau became involved with its construction as a suicide weapon, and his name is connected with the establishment of the Leonidas Squadron
Leonidas Squadron
The Leonidas Squadron, formally known as 5th Staffel of Kampfgeschwader 200 was a unit which was originally formed to fly the Fieseler Fi 103R , a manned version of the V-1 flying bomb that was never used in combat because Werner Baumbach, the commander of KG 200, and his superiors considered it an...
.
After the war, Gosslau joined Dürkopp, the motorcycle manufacturer, where he was chief designer from 1948. In 1954, he moved to the Heinkel Flugzeugwerke
Heinkel
Heinkel Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturing company founded by and named after Ernst Heinkel. It is noted for producing bomber aircraft for the Luftwaffe in World War II and for important contributions to high-speed flight.-History:...
(aircraft manufacturer) and took over the development of new engines. In 1958, after the engine development branches of Heinkel and Messerschmitt
Messerschmitt
Messerschmitt AG was a famous German aircraft manufacturing corporation named for its chief designer, Willy Messerschmitt, and known primarily for its World War II fighter aircraft, notably the Bf 109 and Me 262...
were acquired by Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke
Junkers
Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke AG , more commonly Junkers, was a major German aircraft manufacturer. It produced some of the world's most innovative and best-known airplanes over the course of its fifty-plus year history in Dessau, Germany. It was founded there in 1895 by Hugo Junkers,...
(aircraft and engine manufacturer), Gosslau became a director of Junkers until 1963, when they were converted to a stock company
Aktiengesellschaft
Aktiengesellschaft is a German term that refers to a corporation that is limited by shares, i.e. owned by shareholders, and may be traded on a stock market. The term is used in Germany, Austria and Switzerland...
, a technical board of the Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
-based company.