Blohm & Voss BV-138

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 antisubmarine 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

Información adicional

Ficha Completa
Country of origin

Germany

Builder

Blohm & Voss

Type

Seaplane

Entered service

1940

Crew

6

Combat weight

17,650 kg

Dimensions (length x wingspan x height)

19.85 x 26.94 x 5.90 meters

Power plant

3 x Junkers Jumo 205D diesel engines, 865 hp each

Power, (total)

2,595 hp

Speed

Max. 285 km/h – Cruise 200 km/h

Climb rate

220 meters per minute

Ceiling, (maximum)

5,000 meters

Range

4,300 km

Armament

2 x 20mm MG-151 gun + 1 x 13mm MG-131 MG or 3 x 7.92mm MG-15 MGs + 300 kg bomb load

Bombs

Unguided type: 6 x 50 kg or 4 x 150 kg depth charges

Production

297 of all variants