Luftwaffe Resource Center - Seaplanes & Flying Boats

LUFTWAFFE RESOURCE CENTER > SEAPLANES > PREVIOUS PAGE

BLOHM UND VOSS Bv 222

Type: Strategic Transport Flying Boat
Origin: Hamburger Flugzeugbau GmbH
Models: A & C
First Flight: September 7, 1940
Service Delivery: July 10, 1941
Final Delivery: N/A

Powerplant:
Prototypes:
  Model: Bramo (BMW) Fafnir 323R
  Type: 9-cylinder radials
  Number: Six      Horsepower: 1,000 hp

Bv 222C:
  Model: Junkers Jumo 207C
  Type: Inline Diesel
  Number: Six      Horsepower: 1,000 hp

Dimensions:
Wing span: 46.00m (150 ft. 11in.)
Wing Surface Area: 255m²
Length: 37.00m (121 ft. 4.5 in.)
Height: 10.9m (35 ft. 9 in.)

Weights:
Empty: 30,650kg (67,572 lb.)
Loaded: 49,000kg (108,030 lb.)

Performance:
Maximum Speed: 295 kph (183 mph)
Cruising Speed at 5,550m: 345 kph (214 mph)
Range: 6100km (3,790 mph)
Climb to altitude: N/A
Endurance: 28 Hrs.
Service Ceiling: 7300m (23,950 ft.)

Armament: Bv 222C-0
One 13mm MG 131 manually aimed in bow
Four 13mm MG 131 manually aimed in 4 beam hatches
One 20mm MG 151 in forward dorsal turret
One 20mm MG 151 in two wing turrets (between outboard engine nacelles)

Avionics: Bv 222C-0
FuG 200 Hohentwiel radar
FuG 216 Rear warning

Comments
The wiking was initially developed for Deutsche Lufthansa, which ordered three of the type. Only the first prototype entered civil service with the remainder being developed into freight transports for the Luftwaffe. Nine prototypes were built, no two being alike. The V9 became the first of four production Bv 222C-0 aircraft.
From 1941 onwards the Wikings shuttled freight throughout the Western and Mediterrainean theaters. Despite improving equipment and armament the Wiking proved vulnerable to Allied fighters and most were shot down or straffed at thier moorings. Four Wikings did survive until VE day but one was subsequently scuttled by it's crew. The other three were went to Britain and the United States for testing after which they were scrapped.

Sources:
Gunston, Bill & Wood, Tony - Hitler's Luftwaffe, 1977, Salamander Books Ltd., London
Donald, David - The Complete Encyclopedia Of World Aircraft, 1997, Brown Packaging Books Ltd., London

LUFTWAFFE RESOURCE CENTER > SEAPLANES > PREVIOUS PAGE