Blohm and Voss Bv 138 Reconnaissance Flying Boat (1940)
The Blohm und Voss Bv 138 was a pivotal floatplane in service with Germany, operating as a maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
The Bv 138 was of a most unique design. The wings were high-mounted monoplanes with pontoons mounted to either side of the aircraft. A pair of engines were mounted on the main wings and extended out onto tailbooms towards twin-fins at the tail assembly. A third engine was mounted on the upper fuselage, above and behind the flight deck.
The Bv 138 was developed from three operational prototypes, thought these early systems were fitted with under-powered Junkers Jumo powerplants and circular-type tail boom assemblies. With some revision, the Bv 138A - in prototype form - was now distinct enough to warrant the all-new designation of Bv 138A-1. These systems now featured the Junkers Jumo 205D engines of 700 horsepower.
The definitive Bv 138 system became the Bv 138C-1 model of which some 227 examples were produced. These versions would feature 1,000 horsepower Junkers Jumo engines and an impressive defensive array of both cannon and machine guns of various caliber. A single 20mm cannon was usually mounted in a bow-positioned turret while still another was manned in a rear turret emplacement. A trainable, rear-firing 13mm (0.50 caliber) heavy machine gun was fitted in the middle of the upper fuselage, just behind the mid-set engine nacelle. A single trainable 7.92mm machine gun was added to the right-fuselage side as well. Accommodations amounted to five crewmembers and an internal payload capacity of 661lbs was listed and could include bombs and depth charges.
The Blohm und Voss Bv 138 was unofficially called "The Flying Cog" ("die fliegende Holzschuh") thanks to its most distinct appearance. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Blohm and Voss Bv 138
Reconnaissance Flying Boat
Country of Origin: Nazi Germany
Manufacturer: Blohm and Voss - Nazi Germany
Initial Year of Service: 1940
Production: 272
Focus Model: Blohm and Voss Bv 138C-1
Crew: 5
Length: 65.12ft (19.85m)
Width: 88.39ft (26.94m)
Height: 19.36ft (5.90m)
Weight (Empty): 0lbs (0kg)
Weight (MTOW): 38,912lbs (17,650kg)
Powerplant: 3 x Junkers Jumo 205D 12-cylinder diesel engines generating 1,000hp each.
Maximum Speed: 177mph (285kmh; 154kts)
Maximum Range: 2,672miles (4,300km)
Service Ceiling: 16,404ft (5,000m; 3.1miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 0 feet per minute (0m/min)
Hardpoints: 0
Armament Suite:
1 x 20mm cannon in bow-mounted turret
1 x 20mm cannon in rear turret
1 x 13mm machine gun in rear-facing trainable gun position
1 x 7.92mm machine gun on trainable mount in right-side hull position
Internal bomb load maximized at 661lbs.
Variants:
Bv 138A - Planned Initial Production Model Designation; distinct tail surface design.
Bv 138A-1 - Initial Production Model fitted with Jumo 205D powerplants of 700hp each; redesigned tail surface and new hull design.
Bv 138B-0 - Second Production Models of which only six examples were produced.
Bv 138B-1 - Fourteen examples produced.
Bv 138C-1 - Definitive Bv 138 Model of which some 227 examples were produced.
Operators: Nazi Germany
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