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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
   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.
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.
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Sources:
Gunston, Bill & Wood, Tony - Hitler's Luftwaffe, 1977, Salamander Books Ltd., London