Blohm & Voss P 184

The Blohm & Voss P 184 was a German design for a long-range reconnaissance aircraft during World War II. Carrying a crew of four, it was of aerodynamically clean appearance and its wing had an unusually high aspect ratio.

Design

Developed in 1943, the P 184 was a large, long-range reconnaissance and patrol landplane capable of superseding the Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor. It was of conventional layout but, like many B&V designs, of innovative structure using a high proportion of steel.^[1][2]

The fuselage nose was fully glazed to provide excellent vision to the crew, all accommodated in the nose cabin. Behind the cabin, the entire centre section of the fuselage formed one giant integral fuel tank. The tail housed a defensive gun turret and a single retractable tailwheel. Further defensive armament was provided by a remote-controlled barbette under the fuselage.^[1]

The mid-mounted wing was of very high aspect ratio, having a large span combined with a relatively short chord to make it highly efficient. Four identical nacelles, distributed along the constant-chord centre section of the wing, each housed a BMW 801E radial engine providing almost 1,471 kilowatts (1,973 hp) takeoff power, with a retractable main undercarriage leg behind. The outer wing sections had a slight taper. As with most B&V designs, the main wing structure was an integral steel box which served as additional integral fuel tankage.^[2]

Specification

Data from Cowin (1963), Luft46

General characteristics

• Length: 17.3 m (56 ft 9 in)
• Wingspan: 35.8 m (117 ft 5 in)
• Height: 6.6 m (21 ft 8 in)
• Wing area: 82 m² (880 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 25,447 kg (56,100 lb)
• Gross weight: 48,670 kg (107,300 lb)
• Powerplant: 4 × BMW 801E radial, 1,471 kW (1,973 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 686 km/h; 370 kn (426 mph) at 21,000 feet (6,400 m)
• Range: 7,500 km (4,660 mi; 4,050 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 12,900 m (42,400 ft)

References