Blohm und Voss BV 138

The Blohm und Voss BV 138 was a German flying boat and maritime patroller, which was used by the Luftwaffe during World War II. The first prototype, the Ha 138 V1, took off on its maiden flight on July 15, 1937. After improvement made and the hull enlarged, it was finally approved for mass production after three years of flight tests. It entered service in October 1940 as the BV 138A-1, on time to take part in the Norwegian Campaign. Because of its distinctive shape, it was called the 'Die fliegende Holzschuh' (the flying clog).

The BV 138A-1 version was followed by the BV 138B-1, which first flew in December 1940. The second one was a much superior machine than its predecessor. Armament consisted of a forward-firing 20-mm MG-151 cannon, set up in a turret in bow portion of aircraft, and a 7.92-mm MG-15 machine gun, which was mounted in an open position behind the central engine nacelle. Later, a factory conversion would increase the weapon load to six bombs or depth charges. The BV 138C-1 variant had a strengthened airframe, a four-bladed propeller on the central engine, and an additional 13-mm machine gun in the starboard side fired by the radio operator.

From the Norwegian bases, the Blohm und Voss BV 138 flew sorties over the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans, tracking and attacking convoys bound for Russia. During one of its many missions, it shot down a Catalina and a Blenheim. In northern waters, this German aircraft got refueled from U-boats. Meanwhile, the BV 138C-1 operated in the Black Sea region, taking off from Constanza, Romania. It was also used in the Mediterranean theater in 1943.

Technical Descriptions

The Blohm und Voss BV 138 was a three-engine monoplane flying boat. It was fitted with a cantilever high wing, which was mounted on a pylon above the hull. The wing had split flaps between the ailerons and the fuselage. The aircraft was a three-piece metal construction with sheet plates. The center section, which was made of steel, housed the fuel tank. The hull was a short, single step, all-metal boat.

Specifications (138C-1)

Type: reconnaissance and maritime flying boat.

Length: 19.90 m (65 ft, 3 in)

Wing Span: 27 m (88 ft, 7 in)

Wing Area: 112 m2 (1,206 sq. ft)

Height: 5.9 m (19 ft, 4 in)

Power Plant: three Junkers Jumo 105D inline, piston engines, each delivering 880 horspower.

Maximum Speed: 285 km/h (177 mph)

Range: 5,000 km (3,107 miles)

Ceiling: 5,000 m (16,405 ft)

Crew: 6 men

Below, front view of a BV 138A-1 version at a Luftwaffe base on the Norwegian coast.

The BV 138C-1 flying over the Black Sea in the Summer of 1943. Notice the 20mm gun in the bow section.

Below, the drawing of the Blohm und Voss BV 138 prototype.

The German flying boat being refueled by a U-boat in the middle of the North Sea.