At the time of its inception, the Bv 238 flying boat was the largest aircraft ever to fly for Germany.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited:
6/23/2019
1/4
Credit:
2/4
Credit:
3/4
Credit:
4/4
Credit:
The mammoth Blohm & Voss Bv 238 was the next evolution in the Blohm & Voss flying boat series for Germany during World War Two. The system was built as the largest aircraft ever produced by any of the Axis powers and was to provide The Reich with extended flying boat capabilities should the series have entered full-scale production. In the end, all the BV 238 project had to show for itself was one damaged prototype and two planned production prototypes started but never finished.
The Bv 238 was powered by a series of six Daimler-Benz piston engines producing upwards of 1,750 each. The powerplants were mounted on a high monoplane wing design with three engines per wing. The initial Bv 238 prototype was airborne by 1944, though it would later be damaged and sunk by allied fighter aircraft while the Bv 238 lay docked. The Bv 239 offered up tremendous range, payload capabilities and respectable speeds for an aircraft of this size and in this role.
Specifications
Year: 1944
Status Cancelled
Crew 12
[ 1 Units ] : Blohm and Voss - Germany
Nazi Germany
- Navy / Maritime
Length:
142.26 ft (43.36 m)
Width/Span:
197.41 ft (60.17 m)
Height:
43.96 ft (13.4 m)
(Showcased structural dimension values pertain to the Blohm and Voss Bv 238 V-1 production model)
Empty Weight:
120,593 lb (54,700 kg)
MTOW:
187,393 lb (85,000 kg)
(Diff: +66,800lb)
(Showcased weight values pertain to the Blohm and Voss Bv 238 V-1 production model)
6 x Daimler-Benz DB 603 V-12 engines developing 1,750 horsepower each.
(Showcased powerplant information pertains to the Blohm and Voss Bv 238 V-1 production model)
Maximum Speed:
277 mph (446 kph; 241 kts)
Service Ceiling:
23,950 feet (7,300 m; 4.54 miles)
Maximum Range:
4,474 miles (7,200 km; 3,888 nm)
(Showcased performance values pertain to the Blohm and Voss Bv 238 V-1 production model; Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database)
Not Available.
(Showcased armament details pertain to the Blohm and Voss Bv 238 V-1 production model)
BV 238 - Base Series Designation of which one was constructed but damaged while docked; two planned prototypes were started but never finished production.
BV 238 V-1
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com.
Part of a network of sites that includes AnvilOfWar.com, GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, and WDMMA.org, the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft.
Nazi Germany
