Germany's Blohm und Voss BV 138 reconnaissance flying boat¹

Blohm und Voss BV 138 flying boat:

Blohm und Voss BV 138 flying boat:

Design

The BV 138 was designed by Dr. Ing Richard Vogt.¹ It's nickname was the Der Fliegende Holzschuh (The Flying Clog).¹ There were initial problems with the design, but with modifications it began service in 1940.¹

The controls were fabric covered and hydraulically operated allowing the BV 138 to be flow easily.¹

Rockets could be used to assist in take off.¹

To help shadow convoys a FuG 200 Hohenwiel radar could be installed.¹

Variants

• BV 138V2: Second prototype with larger tail surfaces.¹
• BV 138B-1: Had more powerful Junkers Jumo 205D installed.¹
• BV 138MS: Had a large ring installed that could set off magnetic mines.¹

Usage

Were used primarily against Allied convoys in the Atlantic and Barents Sea.¹

Used in support of U-Boats as far north as the Novaya Zemlya.¹

Used primarily from shore bases, but could also be used from seaplane tenders.¹

	BV 138 C-11
Type	Reconnaissance flying boat1
Crew
Engine (Type)	3: Junkers Jumo 205D inline piston1
Cylinders
Cooling
HP	8801
Propeller blades
Dimensions
Span	88' 7"1 27 m1
Length	65' 3"1 19.9 m1
Height	19' 4"1 5.9 m1
Wing area	1,206 ft2 1 112 m2 1
Weight
Empty	25,948 lb1 11,770 kg1
Loaded	38,912 lb1 17,650 kg1
Performance
Speed @ sea level	177 mph1 285 kph1
Cruising speed	146 mph1 235 kph1
Climb
Service ceiling	16,400'1 5,000 m1
Range	3,107 miles1 5,000 km1
Armament
Bow turret	20 mm1
Rear center engine nacelle	13 mm1
Starboard hatch	7.92 mm MG 151
Bombs under starboard wingroot	3: 110 lb1 3: 50 kg1
OR	6: 110 lb1 6: 50 kg1
OR	4: 330 lb BV 138C-1/U1 depth charges1 4: 150 kg BV 138C-1/U1 depth charges1
Production

Sources:

1. Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004

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