Blohm & Voss Ha 139

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Blohm & Voss Ha 139
Type Communications & reconnaissance
Manufacturer Blohm & Voss, Hamburg
Maiden flight 1936
Introduced 1937

The Blohm & Voss Ha 139 was a German all-metal float seaplane flown by Lufthansa on transatlantic routes between 1937 and 1939. At the time it was one of the largest float seaplanes ever built.

On the outbreak of World War II the planes were taken over by the Luftwaffe and converted for reconnaissance work over the Baltic Sea. They were not particularly suited for military use and were not further produced. They were really intended as mail planes for catapult operations from mailships.


Contents

[edit] Variants

Ha 139
First prototype.
Ha 139B
Third prototype.
Ha 139V3/U1
The third prototype was converted into a minesweeping aircraft. Later redesignated Ha 139B/MS.
Model of minesweeper variant at Museum of Flight
Model of minesweeper variant at Museum of Flight


[edit] Specifications (Ha 139)

General characteristics

  • Crew: 4-5
  • Length: 19.5 m (64 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 27 m (88 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 4.4 m (14 ft 7 in)
  • Wing area: 117.5 m² (1,265 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 10,340 kg (22,790 lb)
  • Loaded weight: 17,460 kg (38,500 lb)
  • Powerplant:Junkers Jumo 205 diesel, 440 kW (592 hp) each

Performance


[edit] See also

Related lists List of military aircraft of Germany - List of seaplanes

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

[edit] Bibliography

  • Green, William. Warplanes of the Third Reich. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 4th impression 1979, p. 78-80. ISBN 0-356-02382-6.
  • Smith J.Richard and Kay, Anthony. German Aircraft of the Second World War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 3rd impression 1978, p. 63-66. ISBN 0-370-00024-2.
  • Wood, Tony and Gunston, Bill. Hitler's Luftwaffe: A pictorial history and technical encyclopedia of Hitler's air power in World War II. London: Salamander Books Ltd., 1977, p. 133. ISBN 0-86101-005-1.