Blohm & Voss BV 238
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (March 2012) |
| BV 238 | |
|---|---|
| |
| The prototype BV 238 V1 in June 1944 | |
| Role | Flying boat |
| Manufacturer | Blohm & Voss |
| First flight | April 1944 |
| Primary user | Nazi Germany |
| Number built | 1 (with 2 incomplete prototypes) |
The Blohm & Voss BV 238 was a German flying boat designed in World War II. It was the heaviest aircraft ever flown when it first flew in 1944, and was the largest aircraft produced by any of the Axis powers in World War II.
Design
The BV 238 V1 prototype, bearing the four-letter Stammkennzeichen (factory radio code) of RO + EZ, first flew on 11 March 1944 after a first jump on 10 March 1944. Six 1,287 kW (1,750 hp) Daimler-Benz DB 603 inverted V12 piston engines were used in total, arranged in three forward-facing engine nacelles on each wing, with each engine's coolant radiator in a chin cowl directly under the engine, bearing an almost identical appearance to those fitted to the Do 217M medium bomber, and possibly were Kraftei, or "power-egg" unitized engine modules.
Destruction
The sole completed BV 238 was strafed and sunk while docked on Schaal Lake. Sources differ in date, the attackers and the aircraft used.
According to American sources, the only BV 238 completed was strafed and sunk while docked on Schaal Lake in September 1944 by three North American P-51 Mustangs of the US 361st Fighter Group. The lead Mustang, "Detroit Miss", was piloted by World War II ace Lieutenant Urban "Ben" Drew, and another was piloted by William D. Rogers. This represented the largest single aircraft to be destroyed during the war. Drew was told after the raid that he had destroyed a BV 222 Wiking (another large flying boat). He continued to believe this was the case until he was contacted by the BBC in 1974 for a documentary, and told that their research had determined that the aircraft he had destroyed was actually the BV 238 V1, undergoing flight tests at the seaplane base at Schaal Lake.
German sources - based in part on testimony of nearby inhabitants and Blohm & Voss employees - the BV 238 was discovered by the RAF on 23 April 1945. It was suspected that Hitler could use it escape to South America and so an attack followed the next day, 24 April 1945. Six Hawker Typhoons, or Hawker Tempests) flew in from the north. Their strafing set the engines alight, the aircraft burnt and the forepart sank into 6 m deep water with only part of a wing remained above the surface.
According to the British the attack happened on 4 May 1945. During the straffing the back of the flying boat broke and the forward part of the plane sank in the water[1].
Other prototypes
Production of two other prototypes was begun but neither was finished. A ¼-scale model of the BV 238 was made during the plane's development for testing. Known as the FGP 227, it made a forced landing during its first flight and did not provide any data to the program.[2]
Variants
- FGP 227 : A large ¼-scale model of the BV 238, powered by six 15.7 kW (21 hp) engines.
- BV 238 V1 : The only completed prototype.
Specifications (BV 238)
Data from Blohm & Voss Bv 222 "Wiking" - Bv 238[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 12
- V1 Span only 57.75 m (189 ft 5.6 in)
Performance
- Landing speed: 143 km/h (77 kn, 89 mph)[4]
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- Notes
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
wikimapiawas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Nowarra 1997, p. 42.
- ^ Nowarra 1997, p. 47.
- ^ Performance data from engineering BV 238 V1 testing.
- Bibliography
- Green, William. Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Five: Flying Boats. London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1962 (5th impression 1972). ISBN 0-356-01449-5.
- Green, William. Warplanes of the Third Reich. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1970 (4th impression 1979). ISBN 0-356-02382-6.
- Krzyźan, Marian. Blohm & Voss BV 222 & BV 238 (Monografie Lotnicze 29) (in Polish). Gdańsk, Poland: AJ-Press, 1996. ISBN 83-86209-47-3.
- Nowarra, Heinz J. (translated by Don Cox) Blohm & Voss Bv 222 "Wiking" - Bv 238. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military History, 1997. ISBN 0-7643-0295-7. (Translation of the german original Luftgiganten über See: BV 222 Viking - BV 238. Friedberg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas Verlag GmbH, 1980. ISBN 3-79090-124-5.)
- Smith, John Richard; Anthony L. Kay and Eddie J. Creek. German Aircraft of the Second World War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1972(3rd impression 1978). ISBN 0-370-00024-2.
- Wagner, Ray and Nowarra, Heinz. German Combat Planes: A Comprehensive Survey and History of the Development of German Military Aircraft from 1914 to 1945. New York: Doubleday, 1971.
- Winchester, Jim. The World's Worst Aircraft. New York: Amber Books, 2005. ISBN 0-7607-8714-X.