Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Blohm & Voss BV 138
| Blohm + Voss Bv 138B | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | ||
| Role | Reconnaissance | |
| Crew | 4-5 | |
| First Flight | July, 1937 | |
| Entered Service | ||
| Manufacturer | Blohm + Voss | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 19.9 m | 65 ft 3in |
| Wingspan | 27 m | 88 ft 7 in |
| Height | 5.7 m | 18 ft 10 in |
| Wing Area | 111.9 m² | 1,205 ft² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 8,080 kg | 17,820 lb |
| Loaded | 12,780 kg | 28,180 lb |
| Maximum takeoff | kg | lb |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engine | 3 × Junkers Jumo 205C diesel | |
| Power (each) | 450 kW | 600 hp |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 275 km/h @ 6,000 m | 171 mph @ 19,685 ft |
| Combat range | 2,400 km | 1,490 miles |
| Ferry range | km | miles |
| Service ceiling | 4,880 m | 16,000 ft |
| Rate of climb | 220 m/min | 729 ft/min |
| Wing loading | 114.2 kg/m² | 23.4 lb/ft² |
| Power/Mass | 0.106 kW/kg | 0.064 hp/lb |
| Armament | ||
| Guns | 2 × MG 151 20 mm cannon 1 × MG 131 13 mm m/c gun | |
The Blohm + Voss BV 138 was a World War II German flying boat that functioned as the Luftwaffe's main long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
The aircraft was unusually powered by three diesel engines, with one mounted high above the centerline driving a four-bladed propeller, and one on each wing driving three-bladed propellers. Also unusual was the aircraft's twin boom tail unit, and gun turrets at the bow and the stern of the fuselage, as well as behind the central engine. These features together produced the aircraft's ungainly appearance.
Various versions of the aircraft carried a variety of armarment including MG 151, MG 15, and MG 131 machine guns as well as various combinations of bombs and depth charges. There was also a minesweeper variant of the aircraft, which carried a degaussing device in the form of a large ring around the fuselage instead of weapons.
Prototype Versions:
Production Versions:
- Bv 138A-0
- Bv 138A-1
- Bv 138B-0
- Bv 138B-1
- Bv 138B-1/U1
- Bv 138C-1, also had minesweeper variant
- Bv 138C-1/U1
| Related content | |
|---|---|
| Related Development | |
| Similar Aircraft | |
| Designation Series |
Ha 135 - Ha 136 - Ha 137 - BV 138 - Ha 139 - Ha 140 - BV 141 |
| Related Lists | |
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