Blohm & Voss BV 138
1937 flying boat family by Blohm & Voss / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Blohm & Voss Bv 138?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
The Blohm & Voss BV 138 Seedrache (Sea Dragon) was a trimotor flying boat designed and built by the German aircraft manufacturer Blohm & Voss. It served as the Luftwaffe's primary seaborne long-range maritime patrol and naval reconnaissance aircraft operated by the Luftwaffe during the Second World War.
BV 138B | |
---|---|
An image of a BV 138 published in a British Aircraft guide. | |
Role | Maritime patrol Long-Range Reconnaissance |
Manufacturer | Blohm & Voss |
Designer | Richard Vogt |
First flight | 15 July 1937 |
Introduction | October 1940 |
Primary user | Luftwaffe |
Produced | 1938–1943 |
Number built | 297 |
The BV 138 was a pre-war design by Dr Richard Vogt,[1] originally developed under the company name of Hamburger Flugzeugbau, thus it was initially designated Ha 138 instead. It had an uncommon appearance due to its combination of unusual design features, such as its twin boom tail unit, short hull, and trimotor engine configuration. In reference to the side-view shape of its fuselage, the aircraft was often referred to via the nickname Der Fliegende Holzschuh ("Flying Clog",[2]). Originally designed to be powered using two engines, the trimotor configuration was adopted prior to flight testing due to engine difficulties. Development would be protracted due to multiple redesigns being enacted.
Shortly after the maiden flight of the first prototype (D-ARAK)[1] on 15 July 1937, identified instabilities necessitated a redesign of the hull and tail booms to improve both hydrodynamic and aerodynamic properties. The first production-standard aircraft, designated BV 138A-1, performed its first flight during April 1940, by which point Germany was at war with multiple neighbouring nations. By December 1940, it has been introduced as a military naval reconnaissance aircraft by the Luftwaffe. Despite concerns as to its structural strength, which was improved over time, it was adapted into various roles, including as a radar-equipped anti-shipping aircraft, an austere troop transport, and as an airborne aerial countermeasure to naval mines. The definitive BV 138C-1 was introduced to service during March 1941. A total of 297 BV 138s were built between 1938 and 1943.