DFS 331
| DFS 331 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Troop glider |
| Manufacturer | DFS/Gotha |
| Designer | Hans Jacobs |
| First flight | 30 September 1940[1] |
| Number built | 1 |
After the success of the 1940 airborne assaults involving the DFS 230, the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM/German Aviation Ministry) invited the Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug/DFS and Gotha to submit plans for a larger capacity glider.[2] The result was the DFS 231, a twenty-seat troop designed by Hans Jacobs, who had previously produced the successful, nine seat DFS 230.[3]
The visibility from the cockpit was good, with the entire nose being glazed, and the body was very wide, allowing it to carry light Flak guns and small military vehicles. A single prototype, the V1, was built and flown in 1941. The best glide ratio, at fully loaded weight, was 17.5.[2] The project was passed over in favour of the Gotha Go 242.[3]
Specifications
[edit]Data from Die Deutsche Luftrüstung 1933–1945,[4] German gliders in World War II[5]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 20 troops or 2,300 kg (5,071 lb) of cargo
- Length: 15.81 m (51 ft 10 in)
- Wingspan: 23 m (75 ft 6 in)
- Height: 3.55 m (11 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 60 m2 (650 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 2,270 kg (5,004 lb)
- Gross weight: 4,770 kg (10,516 lb)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 330 km/h (210 mph, 180 kn)
- Maximum glide ratio: 1:18
- Maximum towing speed: 330 km/h (205 mph)
Armament
- Guns: 2x 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 15 machine-guns
See also
[edit]Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
- List of gliders
- List of military aircraft of Germany
- List of World War II military aircraft of Germany
- List of World War II military gliders
References
[edit]- ^ Griehl, Manfred (2012). X-Planes: German Luftwaffe Prototypes 1930-1945. London: Frontline Books. ISBN 978-1-783034-19-2.
- ^ a b Munson 1978, p. 38.
- ^ a b Wood, Alan (1990). History of the World's Glider Forces. Patrick Stephens Limited. ISBN 978-1-85260-275-8.
- ^ Nowarra, Heinz J. (1993). Die Deutsche Luftrüstung 1933–1945 : Band 1 Flugzeugtypen AEG - Dornier. Vol. 1. Germany: Bernard & Graefe Verlag. pp. 167–168, 244–245. ISBN 978-3-7637-5465-6.
- ^ Nowarra, Heinz J. (1991). German gliders in World War II. West Chester, PA: Schiffer. pp. 20–23, 47. ISBN 0887403581.
Further reading
[edit]- Munson, Kenneth (1978). German Aircraft Of World War 2 in colour. Poole, Dorsett, UK: Blandford Press. ISBN 0-7137-0860-3.
- Mrazek, James E. (1977). Fighting gliders of World War II. London: Hale. ISBN 978-0312289270.