Blohm & Voss BV-138 Sea Dragon 1:8 scale
10-30-2013, 10:06 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Blohm & Voss BV-138 Sea Dragon 1:8 scale
Okay this is the BLOHM & VOSS SEEDRACHE' ( SEA DRAGON)
By Gene Falada redesigned by Splinterz25.
BV 138C-1/U1 Seedrache
The Blohm und Voss BV 138 was officially named 'Seedrache' (Sea Dragon) but unofficially it was instead mostly called 'the flying clog'. It was built and used as a long-range maritime reconnaissance flying boat - often flying for hours far out over the sea in search of allied convoys and shipping. Fully loaded it could fly over 4000 kilometers and stay up for 16 hours. This range could be increased even further when using RATO packs (Rocket Assisted Take-offs) or when launched from catapults on board seaplane tenders.
The BV 138C-1 was powered by three Junkers Jumo 205D-1 diesel engines and although they were fuel efficient they made the aircraft very slow and gave it a maximum ceiling of only 5000 m (16400 ft). However, armed with 20mm cannons in two turrets and a 13mm heavy machinegun in an open position as well as an optional MG15 the BV 138 could often take care of itself when attacked. It has for example been known to shoot down a British Blenheim as well as a Catalina flying boat in air-to-air combat. And since the BV 138 could also take a lot of battle damage and keep flying, especially as the diesel fuel rarely ignited when hit by machine gun fire, she was generally well liked by her crews.
Although the BV 138 was able to carry small loads of bombs and depth-charges and thereby do attack missions such as sub-hunting, most operations were pure reconnaissance and surveillance, often working together with the German U-boats. But they were also used for convoy escort, air-sea rescue, personnel and equipment transport or as a few modified ones for mine-sweeping duties.
The BV 138 flying boats were used almost all over Europe and patrolled the North Sea, Skagerrack and Kattegatt, Baltic Sea, Arctic Ocean, Norwegian Sea, Bay of Biscay as well as the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.
Major Production Models
Bv 138A-1 First production version. Service entry in April 1940, 25 built.
Bv 138B-1 Reinforced hull and floats, improved engines and armament. Service entry in Dec 1940, 24 built.
Bv 138C-1 Structural strengthening and improved armament. Service entry in March 1941, 227 built.
Other variants and modifications:
A few Bv 138C-1s were equipped with a large electric degaussing ring and used for minesweeping. Designated Bv 138MS.
Small numbers of Bv 138s were utilized as personnel transports whereby ten fully equipped infantry troops could be carried which actually required no modification of the plane. Luftwaffe's famous special-operations unit, KG 200, used for example one with this purpose.
Most if not all Bv 138s were equipped with catapult points for operation from seaplane tenders and about 20 Bv 138C-1s were equipped with a modified fuel filter to remove possible pollutants when refueling from u-boats. Some C-1s were also equipped with the FuG 200 Hohentwiel or FuG 213 Lichtenstein S radar to easier search out enemy ships and attack submarines.
Of the 227 Bv 138C-1s built, 164 were equipped with two racks for bombs and thereby doubling the offensive payload of the earlier built aircrafts. These later versions were designated Bv 138C-1/U1 although they were mostly still just called Bv 138C-1. Also some Bv 138B-1s are believed to have been modified into U1 versions.
Performance
Max speed 285-300 km/h (177-186 mph)
Ceiling 5000 m (16400 ft)
Range 4000 km (2500 miles)
Dimensions
Wingspan 26.936 m
Length 19.850 m
Height 5.900 m
Crew
5-6 members; Pilot, Navigator, Radio operator, Nose gunner, Rear gunner, Upper rear gunner.
Armament BV 138C-1
1x MG151 20mm cannon in bow turret
1x MG151 20mm cannon in stern turret
1x MG131 13mm machine gun in open position aftward central engine
(optional) 1x MG15 7.9mm machine gun through hatch in starboard side of hull
(Early version) 3x 50kg (110 lbs) bombs on racks beneath starboard wing centre section or
2x 150kg depth charges
(U1 version) 6x 50kg (110 lbs) bombs or
4x 150kg depth charges
This will be a long build and I may end up making a hand cut short kit and glass parts & vac-formed parts if all goes well.
Bruce
By Gene Falada redesigned by Splinterz25.
BV 138C-1/U1 Seedrache
The Blohm und Voss BV 138 was officially named 'Seedrache' (Sea Dragon) but unofficially it was instead mostly called 'the flying clog'. It was built and used as a long-range maritime reconnaissance flying boat - often flying for hours far out over the sea in search of allied convoys and shipping. Fully loaded it could fly over 4000 kilometers and stay up for 16 hours. This range could be increased even further when using RATO packs (Rocket Assisted Take-offs) or when launched from catapults on board seaplane tenders.
The BV 138C-1 was powered by three Junkers Jumo 205D-1 diesel engines and although they were fuel efficient they made the aircraft very slow and gave it a maximum ceiling of only 5000 m (16400 ft). However, armed with 20mm cannons in two turrets and a 13mm heavy machinegun in an open position as well as an optional MG15 the BV 138 could often take care of itself when attacked. It has for example been known to shoot down a British Blenheim as well as a Catalina flying boat in air-to-air combat. And since the BV 138 could also take a lot of battle damage and keep flying, especially as the diesel fuel rarely ignited when hit by machine gun fire, she was generally well liked by her crews.
Although the BV 138 was able to carry small loads of bombs and depth-charges and thereby do attack missions such as sub-hunting, most operations were pure reconnaissance and surveillance, often working together with the German U-boats. But they were also used for convoy escort, air-sea rescue, personnel and equipment transport or as a few modified ones for mine-sweeping duties.
The BV 138 flying boats were used almost all over Europe and patrolled the North Sea, Skagerrack and Kattegatt, Baltic Sea, Arctic Ocean, Norwegian Sea, Bay of Biscay as well as the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.
Major Production Models
Bv 138A-1 First production version. Service entry in April 1940, 25 built.
Bv 138B-1 Reinforced hull and floats, improved engines and armament. Service entry in Dec 1940, 24 built.
Bv 138C-1 Structural strengthening and improved armament. Service entry in March 1941, 227 built.
Other variants and modifications:
A few Bv 138C-1s were equipped with a large electric degaussing ring and used for minesweeping. Designated Bv 138MS.
Small numbers of Bv 138s were utilized as personnel transports whereby ten fully equipped infantry troops could be carried which actually required no modification of the plane. Luftwaffe's famous special-operations unit, KG 200, used for example one with this purpose.
Most if not all Bv 138s were equipped with catapult points for operation from seaplane tenders and about 20 Bv 138C-1s were equipped with a modified fuel filter to remove possible pollutants when refueling from u-boats. Some C-1s were also equipped with the FuG 200 Hohentwiel or FuG 213 Lichtenstein S radar to easier search out enemy ships and attack submarines.
Of the 227 Bv 138C-1s built, 164 were equipped with two racks for bombs and thereby doubling the offensive payload of the earlier built aircrafts. These later versions were designated Bv 138C-1/U1 although they were mostly still just called Bv 138C-1. Also some Bv 138B-1s are believed to have been modified into U1 versions.
Performance
Max speed 285-300 km/h (177-186 mph)
Ceiling 5000 m (16400 ft)
Range 4000 km (2500 miles)
Dimensions
Wingspan 26.936 m
Length 19.850 m
Height 5.900 m
Crew
5-6 members; Pilot, Navigator, Radio operator, Nose gunner, Rear gunner, Upper rear gunner.
Armament BV 138C-1
1x MG151 20mm cannon in bow turret
1x MG151 20mm cannon in stern turret
1x MG131 13mm machine gun in open position aftward central engine
(optional) 1x MG15 7.9mm machine gun through hatch in starboard side of hull
(Early version) 3x 50kg (110 lbs) bombs on racks beneath starboard wing centre section or
2x 150kg depth charges
(U1 version) 6x 50kg (110 lbs) bombs or
4x 150kg depth charges
This will be a long build and I may end up making a hand cut short kit and glass parts & vac-formed parts if all goes well.
Bruce
Last edited by splinterz25; 10-30-2013 at 10:20 AM.
10-30-2013, 11:21 AM
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
These plans were given to me by a friend who had bought them many years ago and when he heard me mention I was looking for plans for the BV-138 he had a copy made for me he'll be building one also as soon as he gets finished w/ his
DC-3 but I bet he starts sooner than that.
I'll be making changes to the design and making templates as I go it will have removable wing tips & booms and the ELV,STAB will also be removable.
The first thing I changed was how the booms were being made Gene had a
1/4"x 1/4' balsa box frame and balsa formers top & bottom I'm making them all one piece 3/16" thick light ply w/ spruce stringers. This was done because of everything being removable it has to be very strong.
He had called for 1/8" mohogany door skins down the sides of the balsa boxes; but since I've beefed up the frame work I'll skin w/ 1/8 balsa everywhere.
The 3 engines will be Glow fuel OS FS 95-V's.
I've built a scale static display model from Supper Models it gives me a good reference because there's not much in the way of info on this bird out there.
I've found one site on the web there are none intact left in the world just one rusty part of the hull in a museum in Holland.
Here's what I've looked at how the engines will fit and redrawn so far.
Bruce
DC-3 but I bet he starts sooner than that.
I'll be making changes to the design and making templates as I go it will have removable wing tips & booms and the ELV,STAB will also be removable.
The first thing I changed was how the booms were being made Gene had a
1/4"x 1/4' balsa box frame and balsa formers top & bottom I'm making them all one piece 3/16" thick light ply w/ spruce stringers. This was done because of everything being removable it has to be very strong.
He had called for 1/8" mohogany door skins down the sides of the balsa boxes; but since I've beefed up the frame work I'll skin w/ 1/8 balsa everywhere.
The 3 engines will be Glow fuel OS FS 95-V's.
I've built a scale static display model from Supper Models it gives me a good reference because there's not much in the way of info on this bird out there.
I've found one site on the web there are none intact left in the world just one rusty part of the hull in a museum in Holland.
Here's what I've looked at how the engines will fit and redrawn so far.
Bruce
10-30-2013, 02:23 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Well I knew this was a giant scale plane but it's going to take a lumber yard full of wood to build this one HOLLY 
The (boat) center section is about 4' wide & over 6' long 22" tall!
the center wing ribs are just over 24"
IT'S A BIGGEN TO SAY THE LEAST
Bruce
The (boat) center section is about 4' wide & over 6' long 22" tall!
the center wing ribs are just over 24"
IT'S A BIGGEN TO SAY THE LEAST
Bruce
10-31-2013, 03:46 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Well went to the store today to check out template making supplies and light plywood
and came back w/ a NEW 10" table saw w/ all the plywood and stringers on this build it was time to get one.
Bruce
and came back w/ a NEW 10" table saw w/ all the plywood and stringers on this build it was time to get one.
Bruce
11-04-2013, 03:18 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I continue gathering materials tools and doing lay out and drawing changes; I have enough 1/8" Baltic birch for the formers & ribs and just got a sheet of 3/16 birch ply for some of the areas I want to beef up.
I also got a sheet of 1/8" Masonite to make templates out of and because the fuse will be built w/ full formers I bought a sheet 3/4" maple ply to make the 6 foot building jig.
The Fuse (Boat) will rest on the stringers suspended in air while the top is built then flipped to skin the hull.
I should have something to show in a day or so I have a lot going on building the PBY setting up the shop and this build.
Bruce
I also got a sheet of 1/8" Masonite to make templates out of and because the fuse will be built w/ full formers I bought a sheet 3/4" maple ply to make the 6 foot building jig.
The Fuse (Boat) will rest on the stringers suspended in air while the top is built then flipped to skin the hull.
I should have something to show in a day or so I have a lot going on building the PBY setting up the shop and this build.
Bruce
11-06-2013, 01:29 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Alright I just ordered my wing tubes from TNT after talking w/ Tom; I bumped the size up to 1 1/2" x 30" for the two front tubes and the two aft tubes will be 7/8" x 18" both will have phenolic sockets $116 total to my door. and this is just the beginning.
I'm still drawing and checking over as much I can think of, once I cut templates and do a dry fit of all pieces that will tell everything.
Then adjustments will be made if needed or new templates made; then maybe I'll cut some 1/8" ply parts?
And I still need to make the jig to hold this big baby true while building the top half.
Long way to go yet,
Bruce
I'm still drawing and checking over as much I can think of, once I cut templates and do a dry fit of all pieces that will tell everything.
Then adjustments will be made if needed or new templates made; then maybe I'll cut some 1/8" ply parts?
And I still need to make the jig to hold this big baby true while building the top half.
Long way to go yet,
Bruce
11-10-2013, 09:13 AM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Well I continue to redesign the drawings and I've put all of the formers, ribs, and other parts w/ there mods on to one 42" x 120" sheet and there's still more yet to do
But the biggest part is finished.
This way you don't have to cut up the sheets that you'll build on and you can make your parts paper templates all from this one sheet.
Here's some photos of the table saw I bought.
I've also bought a small sanding drum set and a jig saw that I will modifie to make the masionite templates.
Have a look,
Bruce
But the biggest part is finished.
This way you don't have to cut up the sheets that you'll build on and you can make your parts paper templates all from this one sheet.
Here's some photos of the table saw I bought.
I've also bought a small sanding drum set and a jig saw that I will modifie to make the masionite templates.
Have a look,
Bruce
11-11-2013, 10:14 AM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Okay I made some more changes to the drawings everything looks okay but I'll
have to find the strongest micro servo for the rudders so far the best ones is the
HiTec HS- 225MG .
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXN667&P=SM
If anybody knows of a stronger micro servo I would love to hear about it.
These are the changes to make the tail sections & booms removable
Have a look,
Bruce
have to find the strongest micro servo for the rudders so far the best ones is the
HiTec HS- 225MG .
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXN667&P=SM
If anybody knows of a stronger micro servo I would love to hear about it.
These are the changes to make the tail sections & booms removable
Have a look,
Bruce
11-13-2013, 03:04 AM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Okay well the drawing is winding down one more former F-6 and then the wing crutch where the boom meets the wing and I think that will be it but I'll look over everything to be sure.
Here's a quick look at yesterdays progress,
Bruce
Here's a quick look at yesterdays progress,
Bruce
11-14-2013, 07:03 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks Martin I'v just finished making the changes to the drawings so the plane will break down into 6 pieces.
Removable booms, wing tips, boat and the tail plane. Next is to make the templates for a short kit and build a jig to build the plane on.
Bruce
Removable booms, wing tips, boat and the tail plane. Next is to make the templates for a short kit and build a jig to build the plane on.
Bruce
11-15-2013, 09:19 AM
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Okay the drawings are at the printers getting scanned I should have them on a zip drive by days end.
Also the wing tubes came from TNT today one of the 1 1/2" tubes is a bit tight but if I run it over the buffing wheel and polish the ALUM. it should slide nicely these are some BIG tubes.
So once I get the drawings back I will start cutting out the paper templates and fitting them on the 1/8" masionite so I can begin to make the templates.
I also picked up a piece of 1"x 3" x 8' clear Spruce for the boats stringers I had already gotten a piece of 1" x 6" x 6' Spruce for the all of the shorter stringers.
I'm Still gathering supplies and materials there's lots to do yet before any building will start.
But when I do begin I think I'll start building the Booms and the center section of the wing so I can work out the removable Booms and any changes that will need to be made to my templates.
Once the boat section is placed on the building board it will remain there for quite some time because of the size and the amount of work required.
Bruce
Also the wing tubes came from TNT today one of the 1 1/2" tubes is a bit tight but if I run it over the buffing wheel and polish the ALUM. it should slide nicely these are some BIG tubes.
So once I get the drawings back I will start cutting out the paper templates and fitting them on the 1/8" masionite so I can begin to make the templates.
I also picked up a piece of 1"x 3" x 8' clear Spruce for the boats stringers I had already gotten a piece of 1" x 6" x 6' Spruce for the all of the shorter stringers.
I'm Still gathering supplies and materials there's lots to do yet before any building will start.
But when I do begin I think I'll start building the Booms and the center section of the wing so I can work out the removable Booms and any changes that will need to be made to my templates.
Once the boat section is placed on the building board it will remain there for quite some time because of the size and the amount of work required.
Bruce
11-15-2013, 12:38 PM
#14
Ahhh.... a scratch build starting with just a few pieces of paper & a whole heap of inspiration!
A magnificent project, good luck with it. As a fellow scratch builder I'll be watching with interest!
John.
A magnificent project, good luck with it. As a fellow scratch builder I'll be watching with interest!
John.
11-15-2013, 02:45 PM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thank' John....Well being that there's not very much in the way of data on this plane I've at least
found a blown up schematic of the BV-138
If you use the control button on your computer you can enlarge the drawing but you can't read the lettering? it's still a great help I wish I could read it all though.
Bruce
http://www.seawings.co.uk/images/Cut...138cutaway.jpg
found a blown up schematic of the BV-138
If you use the control button on your computer you can enlarge the drawing but you can't read the lettering? it's still a great help I wish I could read it all though.
Bruce
http://www.seawings.co.uk/images/Cut...138cutaway.jpg
11-19-2013, 01:52 PM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
In case any body is wondering what happened to me w/ this build I'm still working on it.
I was just taking advantage of the good weather were having and built two fences, shed, retaining wall and a gate in my back yard before the snow gets here; I've just about got it all finished.
Bruce
I was just taking advantage of the good weather were having and built two fences, shed, retaining wall and a gate in my back yard before the snow gets here; I've just about got it all finished.
Bruce
11-22-2013, 06:10 PM
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Martin the guy that gave me the plans has made some nice progress on his build and he sent me some photos via e-Mail and asked me to post them so you guys can see how he's jiging up his fuse/ boat. I will most likely build something similar to hold everything true and square.
12-01-2013, 09:09 AM
#21
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Unbelievable. I've been building model airplanes since I was 8 (71 now) and I don't think I could even get the jig together straight, let alone the airplane....
12-03-2013, 05:26 PM
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Welcome on board Mobyal glad to have you watching there aren't many here on this site.
Okay there's been a few guys wondering if I'm still building anymore
Life has away of happening where everything hits at once and the holiday plus building my new shop downstairs. I made a smaller work bench from my old one referbed my vice that has been outside for 20 years and made a detailing table from the lumber that use to be part of my old shed. I added some new maple ply and edging to the base made from the old lumber; a few coats of poly and several coats of wax and it's looking nice. I'll be getting back on the build soon for a short while then it will be Christmas which always throws a cog in the works and my building budget!
Here are some photos of the shop so far,
Bruce
Okay there's been a few guys wondering if I'm still building anymore
Life has away of happening where everything hits at once and the holiday plus building my new shop downstairs. I made a smaller work bench from my old one referbed my vice that has been outside for 20 years and made a detailing table from the lumber that use to be part of my old shed. I added some new maple ply and edging to the base made from the old lumber; a few coats of poly and several coats of wax and it's looking nice. I'll be getting back on the build soon for a short while then it will be Christmas which always throws a cog in the works and my building budget!
Here are some photos of the shop so far,
Bruce
12-31-2013, 02:57 PM
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The progress seen in the photos is my friends he gave me a set of the plans; I'll be starting the former & rib templates for the short kit by the beginning of next week. 
Bruce
Bruce
01-06-2014, 01:36 PM
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Alright it took me longer than I thought it would to lay out everything on the Masonite today but I got everything to fit on one sheet. 
So tomorrow I'll start cutting & sanding the templates now that I have some new tools it should go much faster than how I was making everything by hand sanding.
Bruce
So tomorrow I'll start cutting & sanding the templates now that I have some new tools it should go much faster than how I was making everything by hand sanding.
Bruce