| Blohm & Voss BV 141 | |
|---|---|
| BV 141B featuring its assymetrical gondola and tailplane. | |
| Role | Reconnaissance, light bomber[1] |
| Manufacturer | Blohm & Voss |
| Designer | Richard Vogt |
| First flight | 25 February 1938[1] |
| Primary user | Luftwaffe |
| Number built | 13[1]–28[2] |
The Blohm & Voss BV 141 was a World War II German tactical reconnaissance aircraft. It is notable for its uncommon structural asymmetry. While actually performing well it was never ordered into full scale production. Contributing factors to that decision were unavailability of the preferred engine, and competition of another tactical reconnaissance, the Focke-Wulf Fw 189.
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In 1937, the German Air Ministry - the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM) - issued a specification for a single-engine reconnaissance aircraft with optimal visual characteristics. The preferred contractors were Arado with their Arado Ar 198, but the prototype proved unsuccessful.[1] The winner, as would later occur, became the Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Rama, as much as its twin-boom design did not match the requirement of a single engine aircraft.[1] Blohm & Voss (Hamburger Flugzeugbau) although not invited to participate, pursued as their private venture something far more radical.[1] The proposal of chief designer Dr. Richard Vogt was the unique asymmetric BV 141.
The perspex-glazed crew gondola on the starboard side strongly resembled that found on the Fw 189, and housed the pilot, observer and rear gunner, while the fuselage on the port side led smoothly from the 746 kW (1,000 hp) Bramo 123 radial engine to a tail unit.
At first glance, it would seem that the placement of weight would have induced tendency to roll, but in fact the weight was evenly supported by lift of the wings.
In terms of thrust vs drag asymmetry, the countering of induced yaw was a more complicated matter. At low airspeed, it was calculated to be mostly alleviated because of a phenomenon known as P-factor, while at normal airspeed it proved to be easily controlled with trimming.
The tailplane was symmetrical at first,[1] but in the 141B it became assymetrical – starboard tailplane virtually removed – to improve the rear gunner's field of view and fire.[1]
Three prototypes and an evaluation batch of five BV 141As were produced, backed personally by Ernst Udet,[1] but the RLM decided on 4 April 1940[1] that they were underpowered, although it was also noted they otherwise exceeded[1] the requirements. By the time a batch of 12 BV 141Bs were built with the more powerful BMW 801 engines, they were too late to make an impression, as RLM already decided to put the Fw 189 into production. Indeed, an urgent need for BMW 801 engines for use in the Fw 190 fighter aircraft reduced any chance that the BV 141B would see production.
Vogt came up with several other asymmetric designs, including piston-jet P.194.01,[1] but none were actually built.
Several wrecked BV 141s were found by advancing Allied forces. One was recovered by British forces and returned to England for examination. None survive today.
Contrary to much that has been written,[3] all twenty BV 141B ordered were produced and delivered.[2] The complete record of BV 141 production, either a German civil registration or pre-military, four letter Stammkennzeichen radio code:[2]
The first to have BMW 801 engine. About 2 m longer and 2 m wider than A-05.[1]
Data from Rys[1]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
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