Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik
| Company type | Private (before nationalization) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation manufacturing |
| Predecessor | Aeroplanbau Otto-Alberti |
| Founded | 1910 in Bavaria, Germany |
| Founder | Gustav Otto |
| Defunct | 7 March 1916 (reorganized) |
| Fate | Reorganized into Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) |
| Successor | Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) |
| Headquarters | Munich , Germany |
Area served | Germany, Bulgaria (military aircraft supply) |
Key people | Gustav Otto |
| Products | Aircraft, aircraft engines |
| Owner | Initially Gustav Otto; later taken over by state authorities and banking consortium |
Gustav Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik was an early 20th-century German aviation manufacturer. Established in 1910 by Gustav Otto in Bavaria, the company underwent reorganization on 7 March 1916, becoming Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW).[1] In 1917, a Bavarian aircraft engine producer named Rapp Motorenwerke adopted the name Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH (BMW).[2] In 1922, this firm transferred its engine manufacturing operations along with the BMW brand to Bayerische Flugzeugwerke, which then changed its name to Bayerische Motoren Werke AG. This enterprise eventually developed into the renowned automotive and motorcycle manufacturer known today as BMW.[3]
History
_Flamingo_(1927).jpg){kind=link}
In 1910, Gustav Otto launched the "Aeroplanbau Otto-Alberti" workshop located at the Puchheim airfield near Munich in Bavaria. There, Otto and a small team operated wooden, wire-framed, canvas-covered flying machines equipped with engines.[4] Their enthusiasm for aviation helped transition flying from a personal pastime into an essential military industry, particularly after World War I began. Notably, Ernst Udet, Germany’s second-highest scoring WWI ace behind the Red Baron, earned his pilot license through private instruction with Otto during this period.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
In 1911, Otto relocated and rebranded the company as "Gustav Otto Flugmaschinenfabrik." The official registration listed it as No. 14/364: "Gustav Otto in Munich, flying machine factory, office at 72 Karlstrasse." Soon after, the workshop moved from its initial site at 37 Gabelsberger Strasse to new facilities at 135 Schleissheimer Strasse.
By 1914, construction commenced on a new factory at 76 Neulerchenfeldstrasse (now Lerchenauer Straße). The company shifted operations to this location near the Oberwiesenfeld troop training grounds in Munich’s Milbertshofen district. This site later became Munich’s inaugural airport.[4] Proximity to government military procurement offices was a strategic motive for this move.
In 1915, the firm underwent another name change to "Otto Werke, Gustav Otto, München."[5] Shortly thereafter, Otto founded another enterprise called AGO Flugzeugwerke at the Johannisthal Air Field near Berlin.
While Otto’s aircraft designs initially met with success, ongoing challenges related to efficient production and profitability persisted. At World War I’s onset, Otto Werke supplied aircraft to the German Air Force; however, as the conflict continued, production difficulties intensified. Consequently, government authorities encouraged nationalization of manufacturing operations.
The pressures of wartime combined with financial instability adversely affected Otto’s health. Under pressure from the Bavarian and Prussian War Ministries, particularly engineering corps inspectors, the unprofitable company was taken over by state authorities. Otto was compelled to step down as head of his firm. A banking consortium assumed control of company assets.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]
On 7 March 1916, Otto Werke was restructured into Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG and later reestablished as Messerschmitt AG on 11 July 1938.[6] During the summer of 1916, thirteen twin-boom Otto C.I aircraft were delivered to Bulgaria’s Air Force.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
See also
References
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedLewin2016 - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedWankel2009 - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedHistory - ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedBMWArchiveGustavOtto - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedNorbye_11 - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedNorbye_12
External links
- BMW Group archives Archived 2022-03-17 at the Wayback Machine