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Blohm und Voss BV 40
Type: Point-defence interceptor glider
Origin: Blohm und Voss (Abt. Flugzeugbau)
Models: V1 to V19 and A
First Flight: May 1944
Service Delivery: None
Final Delivery: None
POWERPLANT:
None
DIMENSIONS:
Wing span: 7.90m (25 ft. 11 in)
Length: 5.70m (18 ft. 8½ in.)
Height: 1.66m (5 ft. 4½ in.)
Wing Surface Area: N/A
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WEIGHTS:
Empty: 1,844 lb. (836kg)
Maximum: 2,094 lb. (950kg)
PERFORMANCE:
Maximum Speed:
344 mph (553km/h) when towed by a single Bf 109G
315 mph (507km/h) when part of pair towed by Bf 109G
Anticipated Dive Speed In Free Flight:
560 mph (900km/h)
Time to climb to 23,000 ft. (7000m):
– 12 mins. (1 Bv 40)
– 16.8 mins. (2 Bv 40's)
ARMAMENT:
Two 30mm MK 108 each with 35 rounds.
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COMMENTS:
Growing desperation stemming from the destruction wrought by the Allied bomber swarms, the Bv 40
was a desperate solution. The Bv 40 was to be towed above a bomber formation either singly or in
pairs by a Bf 109G. The Bv 40 would be released and would then commence a diving attack on the
formation. The pilot sat in a heavily armored cockpit and would pilot the aircraft to an unpowered
landing on a skid. The entire program was dropped in the autumn of 1944.
Sources:
Gunston, Bill & Wood, Tony - Hitler's Luftwaffe , 1977, Salamander
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