Long distance flights by Edgar Gotthold, updated 12.05.2025
Junkers A50
Edgar Gotthold
East German Morning Post, Vol. 13, No. 282, October 12, 1931
Flight Day in Grottlau
Grottlau, October 12
The first flight day aroused extraordinary interest among the people of Grottlau, as evidenced by the large number of spectators who gathered on the airfield. For the first time, balloon ramming, parachute jumps, air races, etc. were demonstrated. The exhibitions and aerobatics by the renowned Silesian stunt pilot Edgar Gotthold attracted particular interest, as he was the first to land on the crest of the Giant Mountains with the smallest metal airplane in the world.
He was mentioned in the Ostdeutsche Morgenpost, Vol. 16, No. 63, March 9, 1934
An Oppeln pilot lands in Africa. Recently, the German press reported that, to the great delight of the German settlers in Oldeani, East Africa, the Breslau pilot Edgar Gotthold was able to land his Junkers D 2042 as the first German pilot.
The pilot Edgar Gotthold is an Oppeln pilot, namely the son of the late merchant Franz Gwodz from Oppeln. Edgar Gotthold only later adopted his surname and is probably little known among the people of Oppeln under the new name.
In Oppeln, a few years ago, he performed aerobatic maneuvers at the Halbendorfer airfield.
Edgar Gotthold also flew down to South Africa in 1938 to test the "Bücker Student". You can find an article about the return flight from South Africa to Cairo in "Der oberschlesische Wanderer, Nr. 110, 23.04.1938
Still searching for information about his flight with the Junkers A50.
The following was mentioned in the FLIGHT magazine 1934. Investigation about this long distance flight is ongoing.
References
I referenced the following books and magazines in my possession:
"Kiek in die Welt" by Marga von Etzdorf
"Junkers Nachrichten No. 4/5 1930"
"Junkers Nachrichten No. 1 1931"
"Four Continents by Sport Plane" by Wäinö Bremer.
"Die Junkers-Lehrschau, Eine Führung durch die Lehrschau der Junkers Flugzeug- und -Motorenwerke A.-G.. Dessau"
"Elegance and Versatility - Junkers Light Aircraft K16 to A50 Junior"
Further references:
With sincere appreciation, I acknowledge the generous permission granted by Günter Frost for the use of information and illustrations from the ‘Challenge International Avions de Tourisme 1929 and 1930’, which has significantly contributed to this work.
Also, my gratitude to the provided information send to me from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. UDAR-HAZY center, Archive Department