I would like to suggest the Bv 138 A-1, which is the first main production variant and an earlier variant to the already in game Bv 138 C-1, worse in every aspect, except in the frontal firepower. They are overall very similar, however the A-1 has far weaker engines, and instead of 2x MG 151 and 1x MG 131 it has 2x Mg 15 in the back and, what makes it interesting and unique (compared to other german planes) in the frontal turret it has an 20mm MG 204.
A gun developed upon change of doctrin in the Spanish civil war, where the MG C/30 L (MG 201) was trailed, which can be found in game on the He 112 A-0.
This gun was very powerful, with a veloicty for the Ap ammo of 850-880m/s (with high pressure ammo and L/90 barrel). However while good against bombers and ground targets, it was seen as too slow firing, which resulted in the smaller MG 204 which only had an L/40 barrel and smaller 20x105mm ammo, but an increased firerate of 500 rpm. It was quickly adoped and even recived its official ammo document in the L.Dv.4000 line up, however was quickly found to be faulty, and replaced again, by the MG FF and later MG 151. A different developent around the ammo was the S-18/100 by Rheinmetall, it can also be found in-game on the Scaba, with the same APHE-T round, at however a slightly higher velocity, more on the ammo below.
On the plane, the frontal turret with this armarment, which was designed both for flexibel and fixed mounting, it wasnt just increased performance against planes, but primarily against sea and ground targets near the coast. Flying low or overhead, the frontal turret could effectively strave those targets, while not of this plane, there is relatively a lot of footage of He 111 and Ju 88s and other planes, which also got 20mm MG FF (and FF/M) flexible mounted can be seen to shoot at them.
The Bv 138 was made by Blohm & Voss was a very successful sea reconnessains plane, build from 1938 until 1943 with nearly 300 build. Aside from multiple V series prototyes with different engines, it was also made in 3 main series, A, B and C. Which primarily increased engine and fire power, but also some structural reinforcement as well as general improvement. Due to its shape it was called by its crews “Fliegender Holzschuh” (Flying wooden shoe).
Initially designated Ha 138, after the subsidiary company Hamburger Flugzeugbau (as opposed to Blohm & Voss, which were a shipbuilding company), it was designed during the great depression in the early 1930s. It originated out of the interest in creating the companies first flying boat, conciddering the history as a shipbuilding comparny, they already had good knowlege in maritime environment and construction knowlege. After developmental time, with prototypes and mock ups, in July 1937 the first prototype performend its maiden flight. With acknowleged design flaws, which were redesigned, a total of 5 pre-production planes were completed in the late 1930s. With the interest of the Luftwaffe, in April 1940, the first production A-1 planes performed their first flighty, with rapid introduction into service. With criticism that stuctural strengthening was needed, the A-1 series was quickly replaced after 25 planes, by the B-1 series near the end of 1940. More improvements included a revised armarment, and more powerfull Jumo 205D engines instead of the C engines. However the structural strengths was only really completed in March 1941 with the C series, which was the definitv variant, already present in game.
Armarment is 1x 20 mm MG 204 in the frontal turret, as well as 2x 7,92 mm MG 15 in the back positions.
20mm Mg 204 more info and statistics as well as ammo. (Click to show)
Picture:(Click to show)
Caliber: 20mm
Ammo: 20x105mm
Fire Rate: 450 rpm (Unsyncronized)
Drum fed 20 rpg (Sattle drum)
Drum Fed 100 rpg
Muzzle velocity: 730/750 m/s
Weight: 28kg
Ammo Types: Ap-T, Aphe-T, Hef-T Sd.
AP:
Pzgr. L'Spur (Ap-T) 146g Solid 730m/s 32,72mm/10m
Pzsprgr. L'Spur (Aphe-T) 146g 1,4g Pent (2,38g TnTa) 730m/s 32mm/10m
HE:
Sprgr. L'Spur FF (He-T (Sd.)) 134g 3,7g Np.15 (6,29g TnTa) 750m/s
Mountings:
Pintel and intended for fixed
Flight Characteristics:
Crew:6 (3 of which are gunners)
L / W / H: 19,85m / 26,94m / 5,9m
Empty / Max weight: 11.770 kg / 17.650 kg
Engines: 3x Junkers Jumo 205C with 605 PS each (1.815 PS in summary)
Wing Size: 112m²
Top speed: 265 km/h
Mostly the same as the C-1 already in game, but with weaker engines.
It would be a fun 1.0 or 1.3 plane, with light bomb load of 6x 50 or 70 kg SC50 / SC70 as well as the frontal cannon armarment, which will be usable to strave light ground targets.
- Yes
- No
Source:
L.Dv.4000/8 MG 204.
Flying Guns of World War II
Aircraft of the Third Reich: Volume One
Erprobung von Flugzeugmotoren Bd.18: Jumo 205 C
Warplanes of the Second World War, Volume Five: Flying Boats
