BV138 18 January 1940

[Brian]

Hi guys

I have a note that a BV138 was attacked and damged by Dutch fighters. Has anyone any information, please?

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

Nothing in Battle of France T&N

[yogybär]

Maybe a misidentification?

BV138 so early is very unlikely, because "...erst ab Juni 1940 kamen die ersten 25 A-1 Flugzeuge zu den Schulen und Ergänzungseinheiten".

[luftarchiv.de]

[George Hopp]

The really crappy winter of 1939-1940 considerably interfered with the testing of the BV 138. So, I agree with Yogybar that the BV 138 was not in combat service during the 1st Battle of France in 1940.

[Brian]

Thanks guys

I expect the 'BV138' may have been a misidentification of a Fokker G.1. Any idea?

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

Surely if it was Dutch fighter attacking in error a Dutch floatplane that it would not be reported as a BV 138??

[Leendert]

Gents,

It appears that a few (or even just one) pre-production BV-138s participated as recce aircraft in the Norway campaign of April 1940.

If there has been an earlier incident over Dutch territory, then I guess the BV-138 was on a test flight at that time. First one (D-ADJE) flew in February 1939.


Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

Earlier even: prototype flew in July 1937 (D-ARAK) as Ha-138.

There were some testbeds around in January 1940, so one could have violated neutral Dutch airspace.
No record found yet of one being damaged by Dutch fighters.

Regards,

Leendert