The Blohm und Voss BV 142 was a maritime reconnaissance aircraft, which was in service with the German Luftwaffe between 1940 and 1942, during World War II. Developed from the BV Ha 139 float plane, it was a heavy airplane, which was powered by four engines and fitted with inverted-gull wings. Despite its long-range capability, it was withdrawn from service due to its disappointing performance and vulnerability in September 1942. Only four were built.
The first prototype, the Ha 142 V1, had first flown on October 11, 1938. This one was followed shortly by a second prototype, the V2. By the Summer of 1939, four prototypes had already been involved in the flight test program. By the Spring of 1940, two of them were delivered to the 2./Aufklärungsstaffel, being attached directly to the headquarters of the Luftflotte 3. Both planes operated from Denmark and Norway. Plans had been drawn to use the Blohm und Voss BV 142 to launch the GT 1200C guided torpedo; however these plans would never be implemented.
Specifications
Type: long-range, maritime reconnaissance aircraft
Length: 20.45 m (67 feet, 1 inch)
Wing Span: 29.53 m (96 feet, 10 inches)
Wing Area: 130 m2 (399.35 sq. feet)
Height: 4.44 m (14 feet, 6 inches)
Power Plant: four BMW 132H-1, radial piston engines, each delivering 880 horsepower.
Maximum Speed: 375 km/h (233 mph) at sea level.
Range: 3,900 km (2,423 miles)
Service Ceiling: 9,000 m (29,525 feet)
Armament: three 7.92-mm MG-15 machine guns. Provision for four 100-kg bombs.
Crew: four
Below, the Blohm und Voss BV 142 flew along the Norwegian coast of the North Sea during reconnaissance sorties.
The BV 142 in 1941.
