DFS 331
| DFS 331 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Troop glider |
| Manufacturer | DFS/Gotha |
| Designer | Hans Jacobs |
| First flight | 30 September 1940[1] |
| Number built | 1 |
The DFS 331 was a transport glider prototype developed in a collaboration between DFS and Gotha. It was a twenty-seat troop transport designed by Hans Jacobs, who had previously produced the successful, nine seat DFS 230.[2]
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 was built and flown in 1941. The project was passed over in favour of the Gotha Go 242.[2]
Specifications[]
Data from Die Deutsche Luftrüstung 1933-1945,[3] German gliders in World War II[4]
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[]
Related development
- DFS 230
- Gotha Go 242
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Airspeed Horsa
- Antonov A-7
- General Aircraft Hotspur
- Gribovsky G-11
- Slingsby Hengist
- Waco CG-4A
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[]
- ^ Griehl, Manfred (2012). X-Planes: German Luftwaffe Prototypes 1930-1945. London: Frontline Books. ISBN 978-1-783034-19-2.
- ^ 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[]
- Mrazek, James E. (1977). Fighting gliders of World War II. London: Hale. ISBN 978-0312289270.
Categories:
- 1930s German military transport aircraft
- Glider aircraft
- World War II transport aircraft of Germany
- DFS aircraft
- Aircraft first flown in 1942