BV 138 C-1

BV 138 C-1

He 115 C-1

He 111 H-3

BV 138 C-1

He 115 C-1

He 111 H-3

Germany

I Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
1.3	1.7	1.7

Class:

Bomber

Light bomber

Hydroplane

Research:2 000

Purchase:2 100

Show in game

Description

The BV 138 C-1 is a rank I German bomber with a battle rating of 1.3 (AB) and 1.7 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Direct Hit".

The first regular tree seaplane for the Germans was the main unit of the Luftwaffe for ocean patrols from nearly the beginning of the war. Called the "Flying Clog" by her crew, it was capable and versatile machine although under powered, unique in using opposed-piston diesel engines and a steel tube spar. The C-1 model chosen for the game comes with a formidable defensive armament and average bomb load for Rank I.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed

at 0 m283 km/h

Turn time39 s

Max altitude2 800 m

Engine3 х Junkers Jumo 205D

TypeInline

Cooling systemWater

Take-off weight16 t

Even though the plane has 3 engines, it is very slow and its top speed is not high enough to escape from enemies. Take-off from water takes a good deal of distance, and the plane does not manoeuvre well on rudder alone, so give yourself room. In the air, save flaps for when absolutely needed, it is better to keep airspeed. If trying to land in a naval cap point, fly very low and start slowing well before cap zone, drop flaps when possible. It is recommended to practice water landing in Test Flight to learn landing distance and how far the plane will drift (there is no water brake).

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	266	253	2800	41.0	44.2	0.6	0.6	700
Upgraded	302	283		37.3	39.0	4.0	2.2

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
X	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
405	450	N/A	405	320	~4	~2

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 220	< 220	< 210	> ___

Survivability and armour

Crew5 people

Speed of destruction

Structural0 km/h

Gear450 km/h

The plane has no dedicated armour, but its sturdy airframe makes it pretty survivable. When one of the engines is damaged, the plane can keep flying with the two remaining engines. A hit to the self-sealing fuel tanks will cause a fire and some damage to the airframe but the fire will not last long enough to destroy the plane.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB229 → 291

RB337 → 429

SB477 → 607

Total cost of modifications4 440

2 670

Talisman cost300

Crew training600

Experts2 100

Aces45

Research Aces110 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

20 / 40 / 80 %

100 / 100 / 100 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 300 Cost: 180 55 Radiator Research: 300 Cost: 180 55 Compressor Research: 330 Cost: 200 60 Wings repair Research: 370 Cost: 220 70 Engine Research: 370 Cost: 220 70 Engine injection Research: 480 Cost: 290 90	Airframe Research: 330 Cost: 200 60 Cover Research: 480 Cost: 290 90	mg131_turret_belt_pack Research: 300 Cost: 180 55 mg15120_turret_belt_pack Research: 330 Cost: 200 60 mg131_turret_new_gun Research: 370 Cost: 220 70 mg15120_turret_new_gun Research: 480 Cost: 290 90

It is most important to unlock the MG 131 and MG 151 belts to select the best ammo, with the Compressor, Engine, and Wings repair being next. After that, you can unlock the rest as you please.

Armaments

Suspended armament

List of setups (1)

Setup 16 x 50 kg SC50JA bomb

The BV 138 C-1 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• 6 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (300 kg total)

Being a small bomb, precision is important, however it is dangerous to get close to player vehicles. Fixed targets are the preferred choice.

Defensive armament

Turret20 mm MG 151 cannon

Ammunition1000 rounds

Fire rate750 shots/min

Turret20 mm MG 151 cannon

Ammunition900 rounds

Fire rate750 shots/min

Turret13 mm MG 131 machine gun

Ammunition1450 rounds

Fire rate900 shots/min

The BV 138 C-1 is defended by:

• 1 x 20 mm MG 151 cannon, nose turret (1,000 rpg)
• 1 x 20 mm MG 151 cannon, tail turret (900 rpg)
• 1 x 13 mm MG 131 machine gun, dorsal-rear turret (1,450 rpg)

This is exceptional defensive armament for this aircraft, especially for its BR. Most opponents one will face have rifle or heavy calibre machine guns, rarely will it be 20 mm, let alone Minegeschoß shells. Be familiar with the blind spots for the rear guns and manoeuvre for the best advantage, you might have a good chance to punish an attacker who dares to attack you!

Usage in battles

With a small bomb load of six 50 kg bombs, do not expect to play a big role in Air battles in terms of bombing; however the 20 mm and 13 mm defensive weapons makes up with a potent sting if attacked. Be familiar of the turret arcs, and fly low to cover your unprotected belly. The BV 138 can be used as a low-altitude slugger in Air RB where its powerful turret-based cannons are able to blast through any monoplane or biplane it may face at its BR. Uptiers with the BV 138 can be much more unforgiving with this tactic, but the potency of its defensive armament still remains.

It is naval missions where "the Clog" will shine, capping unguarded points or sinking boats with its armament, being more durable than the single-engine seaplanes often used. Make sure to have this in your Naval lineup!

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Not controllable	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Separate	Not controllable 1 gear	Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

• One engine can be knocked out and can still fly fine
• Good manoeuvrability
• Effective glider with a low stall speed, even with all engines knocked out
• Excellent defensive armament
• Can capture naval points

Cons:

• Can't land on runways since it is a hydroplane
• Poor climb rate
• Slow flight speed
• No offensive armament
• Small bomb load

History

Not immediately obvious, the BV 138 is one of the more unique vehicles in game: a twin boom fuselage is very rare for a seaplane design, the Sikorsky S-38 the closest analogue and possibly inspiration for this one. The little known but brilliant aircraft designer Dr Richard Vogt was hired away from Kawasaki Aircraft in Japan to join the Hamburger Flugzeugbau (HFB), bringing with him some highly innovative aircraft technologies. One of his first projects was the Ha 138, a twin-engine seaplane with gull wing similar to the PBM or the Be-6 but with twin booms to the tail plane, all to keep them high above the water. Unfortunately, the also highly innovative Jumo 205 diesel engines were underperforming so a third engine was mounted on the fuselage as an expedient modification. The first Ha 138 (V1) was, well, a failure. The fact it did not crash in tests was a minor miracle. The next one (V2) redesigned to be a straight wing with integrated middle engine was not much better, but the lessons from these early experiments were learned and V3 was scrapped half started.

With the company now called "Abteilung Flugzeugbau der Schiffswerft Blohm & Voss", "Blohm & Voss" for short, the manufacturer prefix was changed from "Ha" to "BV" (the only all capital letter Reichsluftfahrtministerium code) and the completely redesigned BV 138A-0 (V4) was built. All the shortcomings from the first two designs were eliminated and the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM) and the Luftwaffe (LW) was happy with the design and ordered it into production. There were still shortcomings with the underpowered engine, so to compensate mounting points for the HWK 109-500 booster rockets where added to aid in takeoff.

The original 138 was well armed aircraft for the period, sporting an early 20 mm cannon in the nose turret, very likely to attack boats and ships. Interestingly the bomb racks were added much later in the B version. It was literally a rack bolted under the right wing (and only the right wing), and could also carry small depth charges too. This was clearly an afterthought, and possibly a field modification for older units. The B version also sported standardized with MG 151 cannons (not clear if 15 mm was used at one time), the top turret being MG 15 or with the C model the MG 131. The BV138 also enjoyed an armoured fuel tank! The signature "Dr Vogt steel tube spar" was the main fuel tank, the wall was thick enough to resist machine gun rounds short of heavy AP cannon shells.

Called the "Flying Clog" for its wooden shoe-like hull shape, the plane was well liked by the crews. With an exceptionally long range and a comfortable cabin to work in, it was the eyes of the Kriegsmarine. Because the engines were diesel, it was common for the Flying Clogs to refuel from submarines at very distant locations.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the BV 138 C-1 from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

The Shooting Range #367 - Pages of History section at 03:24 relates a rescue at sea of a BV 138.

See also

• PBY-5 (Family)
• PBM-1 "Mariner"

External links

• [Devblog] BV 138 C-1: Ship of the sky
• [Feldgrau] Blohm & Voss BV 138
• [SwipNet] BV 138

Blohm & Voss (Abteilung Flugzeugbau der Schiffswerft Blohm und Voß)
Interceptors	BV 155 B-1
Bombers	BV 138 C-1 · BV 238