Blohm & Voss BV 144

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BV 144
Bv 144 in Free French Forces markings
Type	Airliner
Manufacturer	Blohm & Voss
Maiden flight	August, 1944
Primary user	Luftwaffe French Air Force
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.

Contents 1 Development 2 Prototype 3 Specifications 4 References 5 Related content

[edit] Development

In 1940, Blohm & Voss, at the request of 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 801A 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 degrees. The BV 144 had a crew of three and was planned to be capable of carrying 18 to 23 passengers.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Specifications

[edit] References

Kay, A.L. and Smith, J.R. German Aircraft of World War II. Naval Institute Press, 2002.

[edit] Related content

Designation sequence

BV 142 - BV 143 - BV 144 - Go 145 - Go 146