Gö-4 Glider

As of 2005 PH-206 is owned by Camilla van Beugen and Jan Roza who plan to keep this beautiful glider flying for many years to come.
At the end of 2008 PH-206 had totalled 1237 hours of airtime during 9573 flights.

History of glider Gö-4 - PH-206

Gö-4 II in pre-war German markings.

His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands (right) in Gö-4 PH-111

A rare view: 5 Dutch Gö-4's in line (PH-206, 207, 209, 210 and 211)

Extensive damage after groundloop

PH-206 in use with the Nijmeegse Aero Club

Removing all paint from the fuselage

Fuselage ready for next stage of restoration

The ailerons are next to be stripped

Then it was the wings turn

Re-covering the wings

Looks like a brand new wing

A little rest before the first testflight

Pilots preflight briefing

Airborne for the first time in five years!

The basic framework of the trailer

Dressing up the framework

Gö-4 PH-206 snugly in her trailer

Many friends and family attended the ceremony

Ann van Beugen unveiling the nose inscription

PH-206 proudly wears Jan's name

PH-206 at the Vintage Glider Club rally at Dutch National Gliding Center Terlet in 1992

PH-206 in Zbraslavice (Czech Republic) in 2001

PH-206 over Terlet in 2003

PH-206 and her proud owners

General type history

The Gö-4 was designed before the Second World War by Wolf Hirth and Wolfgang Hütter with the help of Ulrich Hütter and the prototype was first flown on 30 November 1937.
The Gö-4 is a two-seater side by side trainer with a glide ratio of 20:1.
In 1939 the German authorities issued the certificate of airworthiness for the type. Production of the Gö-4 II started in 1938 and until the end of the second world war more than 100 examples were built.

After the war aircraft manufacturing was forbidden in Germany until 1951.
In Holland Fokker built 6 Gö-4's in 1948 and after 1951 Wolf Hirth again took up production of the Gö-4 (the Gö-4 III) and about 30 more were built.

At this time no more than 5 Gö-4 gliders are still in airworthy condition worldwide, some others are under restorations or just static exhibits.

History of PH-206

Gö-4 PH-206 (c/n 416) was built in 1954 for the KNVvL and registered as PH-206 on 24 July that year.
In 1956 she was sold to the Eerste Limburgse Zweefvliegclub (First Limburg Gliding Club) where she flew until 13 December 1968.
In 1962 PH-206 was heavily damaged after a groundloop during the take-off run.

Damage was repaired and in 1968 the Nijmeegse Aero Club (NijAC) bought PH-206.
This club used PH-206 until the 1980's when she was put in storage.

In 1985 a number of club members (Jan van Beugen, Pierre Gubbels, Loek Hafkamp, Paul Mengelberg, and Jan Roza) bought PH-206.
It was decided to give PH-206 a complete overhaul to get her in mint condition.

Work proceeded slowly and at last in 1989 a new certificate of airworthiness was issued and the first post-restoration testflight was made from Hilversum airfield.

Also a closed trailer was built to transport and store the aircraft in.
A specialist job done by Pierre Gubbels.

Unfortunately Jan van Beugen died not long after the testflights and the rest of the team decided to name PH-206 after Jan.
In an impressive ceremony Jan's widow Ann and daughter Camilla christened the Gö-4 at Asperden airfield (Germany).

Since then PH-206 has visited many aviation events all over Europe.
Airshows, national historic glider rallies and international Vintage Glider Club rallies, Gö-4 PH-206 is a regular guest.