Blohm & Voss BV 144

BV 144
Role	Airliner
Manufacturer	Blohm & Voss
First flight	August 1944
Primary user	Luftwaffe French Air Force
Produced	Société Anonyme des Ateliers d'Aviation Louis Breguet
Number built	One prototype

The Blohm & Voss BV 144 was an attempt by Germany in World War II, to develop an advanced commercial airliner for post-war service. Due to the changing course of the war, the project was abandoned and only a single example was built.

Development

In 1940, Blohm & Voss, at the request of Deutsche Lufthansa, designed the BV 144 as a short to medium range airliner. At the time the war was going in Germany’s favour, and planning for post-war commercial airliner services was reasonable. The BV 144 was an all-metal, high-wing monoplane, powered by two BMW 801 MA radial engines. A unique feature of the BV 144 was the wing, which was designed to have variable incidence. An electro-mechanical device rotated the wing by its main spar, up to 9°. The BV 144 had a crew of three and was planned to be capable of carrying 18 to 23 passengers.

Prototype

After the fall of France in 1940, it was decided to build two BV 144 prototypes in France, making use of French industry. The BV 144 V1 (first prototype) made its maiden flight in August 1944. By this time, Germany was retreating from France, thus the BV 144 project and single prototype were abandoned by the Germans. The French captured the BV 144 V1 and applied French markings to it, but ultimately abandoned the project.

Operators

France

• French Air Force

Germany

• Luftwaffe

Specifications (BV 144 V1)

Data from Hitler's Luftwaffe

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Capacity: 18-23
• Length: 21.8 m (71 ft 6 in)
• Wingspan: 27 m (88 ft 7 in)
• Height: 4.75 m (15 ft 7 in)
• Wing area: 88 m² (950 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 7,900 kg (17,417 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 13,000 kg (28,660 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × BMW 801A 14-cyl. two-row air-cooled radial piston engines, 1,147 kW (1,538 hp) each for take-off at sea level
• Propellers: 3-bladed variable pitch

Performance

• Maximum speed: 470 km/h (292 mph; 254 kn)
• Range: 1,550 km (963 mi; 837 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 9,100 m (29,856 ft)

External links

• http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/LRG/bv144.html