Adler
Die Wunderwaffe
- Joined
- 27 February 2025
- Messages
- 223
- Reaction score
- 452
I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong category, if so, please move it to where it belongs.
----
I've been researching the fate of Germany's largest flying boat, yet there's very little clarity in regards to what happened to it. It is generally agreed upon that the Bv 238 was strafed by allied aircraft (Most likely P-51s) at some point between September 1944 and May 1945 while docked at Lake Schaalsee near Hamburg. The Germans had no interest in restoring the aircraft, so it sat partially sunk in shallow water until a few years after the war. Sometime between 1945 and 1949 the aircraft was either sunk in deeper water or salvaged for scrap (different sources), and we know for certain that the wings and tail section made it to shore since there exists a photograph. We also know that the wings were likely separated from the aircraft (they appear to be in good condition, likely separated post-strafing, and we have some sources, including BV aircraft designer Hans Amtmann who claim it was only the wings that were ever salvaged.). The fuselage (or at least the front half of it) might as well still be sitting in Lake Schaalsee at a shallow depth. If that is so, how possible would it be to salvage and restore it? There is sure to be significant erosion and damage after 80 years, however we have previously raised and restored to pristine condition aircraft of the time period, thus I would not discount it as impossible.
----
I've been researching the fate of Germany's largest flying boat, yet there's very little clarity in regards to what happened to it. It is generally agreed upon that the Bv 238 was strafed by allied aircraft (Most likely P-51s) at some point between September 1944 and May 1945 while docked at Lake Schaalsee near Hamburg. The Germans had no interest in restoring the aircraft, so it sat partially sunk in shallow water until a few years after the war. Sometime between 1945 and 1949 the aircraft was either sunk in deeper water or salvaged for scrap (different sources), and we know for certain that the wings and tail section made it to shore since there exists a photograph. We also know that the wings were likely separated from the aircraft (they appear to be in good condition, likely separated post-strafing, and we have some sources, including BV aircraft designer Hans Amtmann who claim it was only the wings that were ever salvaged.). The fuselage (or at least the front half of it) might as well still be sitting in Lake Schaalsee at a shallow depth. If that is so, how possible would it be to salvage and restore it? There is sure to be significant erosion and damage after 80 years, however we have previously raised and restored to pristine condition aircraft of the time period, thus I would not discount it as impossible.
