The Largest Aircraft of World War Two - Blohm & Voss BV 238

Standing at over 12 metres tall, and powered by six enormously powerful engine - the Blohm & Voss BV 238 was the largest aircraft of the Second World War, and in todays video we explore its history.
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Precursor & History: 0:00 - 2:48
Design & Construction: 2:49 - 6:03
First Flight: 6:04 - 8:18
Downfall: 8:19 - 10:20

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

The engineers at Blohm+Voss were brilliant. Years ago, I was looking into the research they did on turbines and pumps in the 1900's, and it was amazing. The ships they build were also some of the best.

[@OscarReyes-ud4vz]

One of a kind video! Superb! I love the sequence of the three giants flying together.

[@jamesjackman4638]

I really wish this aircraft had have survived the war as it would have been an impressive if used as a civilian transport aircraft.

[@aladoani1]

It was stolen by the British

[@allgood6760]

Thanks for this✈️

[@bashirmuhammad8181]

Great looking giant with a performance to match.

[@TheLateBird7]

Very good content and great mix of original footage and CGI. The episode with the brave French POWs trying to sabotage the project was a very interesting detail - these are the things that make your channel stand out.

[@aviationdeepdive]

Thankyou so much, yes - certainly a brave move by the French!

[@volkerkalhoefer3973]

@@aviationdeepdive August '45, four days before the end? I don't think those Tempests hit targets, 3 month after Germanys surrender 😂

[@tsegulin]

I doubt most people have heard of Blohm und Voss or it's clever but idiosyncratic designer Dr. Richard Vogt (whom I don't think was mentioned in this piece). Thanks for a well presented, informative video.

[@kennethcrowther2277]

It was the Messerschmitt Me 323, not 232! Called the Gigant.

[@Harry_yeetAU]

The gigant was a completely different plane only one exists off the coast of Italy underwater after being shot down

[@MrCenturion13]

More of that Dark Skies deliberate mistakes to increase 'engagement'.

[@colinmcc3043]

Very well made video. Informative and entertaining.

[@Juhnaaa]

Great informational video! 👍

[@aviationdeepdive]

Thanks!

[@aviationdeepdive]

8:17 This is supposed to be May, not August - No idea how this error slipped through! Feel free to join our Discord community! - discord.gg/WCevgcufwJ Consider supporting us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/AviationDeepDive

[@markpfeifer1402]

You could always count on Blohm and Voss for unusual but interesting ideas.

[@ACME_Kinetics]

I don't think I've ever been in the first 1k subs for any channel until now. I'll check out your previous videos over a few days, but if they're this solid, and you make more, I bet this channel will take off. Pun intended. This production value is kinda amazing for such a new channel. Having some TV production experience myself, I suspect you also have some type of related experience, but either way this is solid content. And as a lifelong avgeek I'm always pleasantly surprised when I hear about any plane for the first time. Anyway here's some viewer engagement for the algo.

[@aviationdeepdive]

Thanks for the comment, appreciate it! I actually don't have any experience in related fields, so that means a lot to hear it coming from an expert!

[@subdawg1331]

wow awesome video

[@cartmanrlsusall]

Wow wings of the luftwaffa didn't show the scale model pictures congratulations on showing something new

[@manuwilson4695]

Good video brother. I've subscribed.

[@aviationdeepdive]

Thanks!

[@tompollard8585]

Really well made, surprised you only got a few hundred subs

[@aviationdeepdive]

Thanks so much, I am trying to grow

[@BowTieSS70]

Good video and while there are differing dates of when it was destroyed (Steptember 1944 by the Americans and May 1945 by the British) the Germans had surrendered 3 months before August 1945.

[@jonkelly7908]

September is simply wrong the BV238 was staffed on May 4th by unknown allied fighters, 4 days before hostilities finished in Europe

[@williamromine5715]

I'm surprised that the narrator didn't catch the mistake. Maybe he didn't know that the war in Europe was finished in the spring of 1945. If he didn't know is disturbing. Hopefully, he just misread the script.

[@nathanhall4156]

​@@jonkelly7908 strafed not staffed. I'm only doing this to point out the irony of making a spelling error while commenting on a minor historical error.

[@Packless1]

...on the location of Hamburg/Finkenwerder where the B+V-222/-238 were built today there's an Airbus-Industry-site...!

[@wintersbattleofbands1144]

That would have made one fantastic airliner.

[@ModlyModly]

It is Me 323 nor 232...

[@Avetorro]

Very Interesting video. I noticed the weird plane at the start that has a cockpit out on the wing, I had an Airfix model as a kid, one of my favourites but for the life of me I can’t remember what make and model it is. I think it’s a Heinkel?

[@aviationdeepdive]

That would be a Blohm & Voss BV 141!

[@Avetorro]

@@aviationdeepdive brilliant thanks.

[@user-kg6ed4kg7h]

Superb video...I just wonder if the one-off Short Shetland was inspired by this design??

[@philalcoceli6328]

All circumstances of its creation aside, a beautiful giant!

[@zoompt-lm5xw]

Great video Nice voice

[@ralphscholer7345]

Brilliant narrated and a super episode! I didn't know about this monster flying boat and the fact, that the pilots bring this dinosaur up into the air!! And where you got that original footage?? Never watched this on german screens! One more extraordinary story!! And why the RAF sunk it? Don't understand! Good Job, well done...

[@aviationdeepdive]

Thanks Ralph! It is a shame that the RAF sunk it, I think perhaps it was a political move, but it’s a great shame that it can’t be in a museum today… thanks again for the support!

[@kevanhubbard9673]

Almost fly from Europe to Australia something that only just started with modern airliners!

[@Legitpenguins99]

When I heard 1944 I rewinded because I couldn't believe it. Firstly, I'm impressed Germany even had enough resources with their myriad of "logistical issues" to put it kindly. I think I'm more amazed by the fact somebody in late 1944 saw the Soviets AND western allies on their back porch and thought "Do you know what we need right now? A big fucking flying boat!"

[@TheRealNeill]

A couple of factual errors but, overall, an good video. I like the fake grainy colour footage. It's atmospheric.

[@johnwriter8234]

Dude! Am new subscriber ... great videos and commentary! ( i am retired US Coast Guard Aircrewman, C-130 & Sikorsky HH3F helicopter)

[@aviationdeepdive]

Appreciate that my friend - and thankyou for your service! It must have been quite an experience in the C-130, such a cool plane! What was your crew position on those aircraft?

[@johnwriter8234]

@@aviationdeepdive i was Air-Sea Rescue specialist ... hoisting survivors into helicopter, searching, air-drop rafts, supplies .. air-sea rescue ops.

[@aviationdeepdive]

@@johnwriter8234 Wow, must have been quite an incredible experience. How often were you called out on a rescue operation? Any cool stories to share?

[@johnwriter8234]

@@aviationdeepdive we went as needed ... "you have to go out, but you dont have to come back."

[@davekisor1486]

Put it in a museum? They don't make them that big.

[@jonkelly7908]

B52 is of similar size and there are several in museums.

[@paulking7019]

XB-19 Bomber ??? I am not so sure about the BV238 being the largest AIrcraft of WWII. In 1941 (almost 3 years prior to the BV 238). the U.S. XB-19 took to the skys with just 4 engines and a wingspan of 64.6 meters (212 ft.) vs the BV 238s 60.17 meters (197.5 ft.). wingspan. The B-19 was armed with 11 machine guns. Six were .30 cal and five were .50 cal. It also carried two 37mm cannon. It had a maximum bomb load of 37,100 lb (16,800 kg) with a range of 5200 miles or 8400 km.. The plane was so enormous that it could destroy runways just by rolling across them. Only one was ever built as the Army AIr Corp deemed it obsolete but it continued as a test bed and transport for the B-36. It was retired in 1946.

[@aviationdeepdive]

Depends on your definition, but the BV 238 was longer, same height, and heavier. The XB-19 had a longer wingspan by a little bit, but considering the 238 beats it out in all the other categories I'd say the 238 still counts as the largest.

[@paulking7019]

@@aviationdeepdive It does not beat the B-19 in all other categories. B-19 has significantly more range. B-19 has larger wing area. B-19 carries a much larger bomb load with less wing loading. It also flew on 4 engines instead of needing 6 to get it in the air. It was operational far longer as well from 1941 to 1946.. Weight is a negative when it comes to aircraft. The B 19 didn't have a strange protrusion sticking out its rear to make it longer..

[@aviationdeepdive]

@@paulking7019 I don't see how range, bomb load, wind loading, and having fewer engines has anything to do with being 'larger'. I definitely don't see how it being operational for longer has anything to do with the question "what was the biggest aircraft of WW2". The 238 is physically larger in the majority of dimensions and mass compared to the B-19.

[@wintersbattleofbands1144]

0:20. The plural of "aircraft" is "aircraft." No "s." If you're going to do videos about them, that's a little 101 level stuff for you.

[@guaporeturns9472]

PBM Mareener? It’s Mariner , like Seattles baseball team or a person who lives and works at sea.

[@waltersnowdon1243]

Largest aircraft of ww2?. Arent you forgetting the Hughes spruce goose and the B36 peacemaker?. both ww2 designs. Regards, Walter.

[@aviationdeepdive]

Hi Walter the Spruce Goose first flew in 1947, whereas the B-36 flew in August 1946 - I think an aircraft has to be completed or at least airworthy during ww2 to count.

[@paulking7019]

@@aviationdeepdive The XB-19 first flew in 1941 and had a wingspan longer than the BV238, It had a range of 5,200 mi (8,400 km) and a maximum bomb load of 37,100 lb (16,800 kg).

[@aviationdeepdive]

@@paulking7019 But it was the same height, shorter in length, and hugely lighter, so overall considered to be smaller.

[@paulking7019]

@@aviationdeepdive The BV 238 was the same height, but with shorter wings and less wing area than the B 19, so overall the B 19 is not considered to be smaller. Weighing more is not a bonus for an aircraft. It is a negative.The BV 238 weighed as much as it did without even having any landing gear. Its weight made it incapable of carrying as large a bomb load as well as limited its range when compared to the B-19s max bomb load of 16,800 kg compared to the much smaller max bomb load of 9000 kg for the BV 238. The B-19 had a significantly longer range than the BV 238 as well. Partly due to the higher wing loading of the BV 238. It was a heavy plane with not as much wing area as the B-19. The XB-19 was operational much longer than the BV 238.(From !941 -1946). was too. Finally look at the BV 238. I can see why it is longer. What is that protrusion sticking out of its tail? What does it do other than make the plane longer?

[@aviationdeepdive]

@@paulking7019 We're not talking about 'bonuses', that's not relevant to what makes the aircraft bigger. In most categories of dimension and mass, the 238 is larger.

[@abukharan5774]

4daalgorithm

[@johnbrobston1334]

That quarter scale model is intriguing to me. Pity the designs are lost.

[@harryfallius7470]

The War in Europe didn't end in August of '45!!

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

The DB603 engine is about 1100mm tall (around 45in). And that wing is not much thicker. At the thickest part of the wing will be the fuel tanks. This means the access tunnel would not be tall enough for a man to walk along.

[@kennethcrowther2277]

Not to walk through but there would've been an access tunnel for the engines in-flight. Perhaps a crawl space. These things are often exaggerated. I know there were access tunnels one could stoop through to get to the engines on the Boeing B314.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Production was cancelled by Milch as he was demanding the production of fighters.

[@exocet1]

Just saw this and that plane was actually destroyed by two P-51 one flown by Urban Ben Drew. I actually met him and have a signed art print called "Big Victory" of his plane "The Detroit Miss" destroying the BV 238.

[@johnholt890]

I think research has rebutted this and confirmed it was the RAF that sunk the BV 238, the other attack was against giant French Flying Boats the La 631, Potez-Camms 131 and SNCASE SE 200 captured by the Luftwaffe and confused with it.

[@aviationdeepdive]

Yes unfortunately this information has actually been debunked, it's likely Urban Ben Drew sank the Latecoere 631 or SE.200, two other enormous flying boats in Germany - but it appears he did not sink the BV 238.

[@greghardy9476]

At least they didn’t want to make it a dive bomber!!!

[@Juhnaaa]

🤙🤙

[@nessuno1948]

Not august 1945 but may.

[@aviationdeepdive]

Yes that was a stupid mistake by me - no idea why I said that…

[@leboi8528]

yo isnt the trailing plane a typhoon?

[@aviationdeepdive]

Bro... lmao

[@Hadubrand1965]

What's this about "in August 1945 just a four days before the end of the war" (the plane being destroyed by 2 British tempests...."- By AUGUST 1945 the war in Europe was already over for about 3 months... so THAT event would have to have taken place in early MAY 1945....

[@aviationdeepdive]

Look at the pinned comment

[@koiyujo1543]

the largest plane in warthunder

[@olafkliemt1145]

the war in Europe ended on May 08 1945.

[@aviationdeepdive]

Refer to pinned comment please.

[@kirkp7470]

Miles per hour, please.

[@okapmeinkap7311]

A Huge MudddddderVaterrrrrrr

[@maciekkra539]

Great film. After all these years Nazi Germany is still full of surprises. I did not know of this aircrafts existence.

[@garyhooper1820]

A flying boat Thats not "Auk ward" looking.

[@yukiomishima33]

Getting this guy to be hte narrator makes it more obvious that he's probably not part of the production.

[@harrymattah418]

Luft vaffe. W is pronounced v in German.

[@user-dr7tu8tr7j]

I enjoyed the video,but unfortunately you stated numerous inaccurate dates& #'s, showing your lack of interest to make your content accurate. Hope you improve in your future postings

[@wintersbattleofbands1144]

"Specifics remain." Not "remains." OK, thumbs down for poor grammar. One slides, two is inexcusable.

[@fembotheather3785]

Germany surrendered long before August of 1945.

[@aviationdeepdive]

Yes I don't know how that mistake got through, it would have been May 1945

[@james_t_kirk]

*Is the narrator BLACK?*

[@juliushummer1069]

Mike Tyson narrates.

[@fasold2164]

"Nazi Giant". What a stupid term. Nazism is a political ideology, nothing more. There is no "Communist Giant" or "Democratic Giant". But obviously the creator of this video doesn't know it better...

[@endi3386]

It was an aircraft, created for the Nazis... so the term Nazi Giant makes perfect sense. Have you ever heard of marketing videos? Your point doesn't even stand though - people would say something like 'Soviet Giant'

[@dosidicusgigas1376]

Its more than a political ideology, Nazi Germany was a nation that nearly took over Western Europe.... Guess you forgot about that part.

[@Atstudiotrev]

Awful narrator, but I think that’s changed now.. (fingers crossed)

[@Adman-gp7sb]

Damn bro chill

[@Atstudiotrev]

@@Adman-gp7sb kayne dew it bro.. dat shit was wak. I see you tryn tho. Keep at it. 😎

[@Atstudiotrev]

Just playin’. Seriously though, I figured you’d eventually see that. The problem is, it’s hard to fake topics with that much detail. German names, aircraft types.. it just requires a bit more knowledge to speak about fluently. Do you like airplanes and World War II stuff? Hopefully getting that gig sparked an interest because it’s awesome stuff, and history that real people lived. If you get into it, you can nail the detailed nuances about those topics when speaking about them.

[@frankdrevinpolicesquad2930]

Sounds like it's being narrated by Samuel L Jackson

[@Eric-kn4yn]

Dont give up your day job if you have one 😂

[@FourProngedFork]

Comment for the algorithm!

[@aviationdeepdive]

😄

[@jakklump]

If a narrator thinks that the plural of aircraft is "aircrafts" is not qualified to lecture about AIRCRAFT.

[@nathanhall4156]

If a commenter is incapable of looking past a small grammatical error, they're probably an asshole.