Blohm & Voss BV-138 seaplane

In 1938 the former company Hamburger Flugzeugbau had designed a seaplane for long-range maritime patrol missions, the Ha-138. Shortly after the company was absorbed by Blohm & Voss, which continued the development that would end in the Bv-138 “Seedrache” (Sea Dragon) flying boat. After six prototypes built, it was decided to start production of the Bv-138A.1, of which 25 examples were manufactured with 600 hp diesel engines that entered service in 1940. Six units of B-0 model and fourteen B-1 were then manufactured with more powerful engines and reinforced airframe. Finally, the production of the Bv-138C.1, the most numerous version, began in 1941, with reinforced structure and more defensive armament. They could carry depth charges or bombs for anti-submarine missions or 10 passengers instead of weapons load. They were one of the most numerous seaplane type within the Luftwaffe, and an anti-ship versions were built installing a FuG-200 “Hohentwiel” search radar. There was also a minesweeping version called Bv-138MS with specialized degaussing equipment to detect magnetic fields on the sea.

BV-138 gallery and more info