DFS 230
| DFS 230A-1 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Luftwaffe soldiers loading the DFS 230 in preparation for deployment. | |
| Role | Troop glider |
| Manufacturer | DFS |
| Designer | Hans Jacobs |
| First flight | 1937 |
| Introduction | 1938 |
| Primary user | Luftwaffe |
The DFS 230 was a German transport glider operated by the Luftwaffe in World War II. It was developed by the Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug (DFS - "German Research Institute for Sailplane Flight") with Hans Jacobs as the head designer. The glider was the German inspiration for the British Hotspur glider and was intended for paratrooper assault operations. The glider could carry 10 soldiers with equipment or a payload of about 1,200 kg. They were used in the landings at Fort Eben-Emael and Crete, as well as in North Africa and in the rescue of Benito Mussolini and for supplying the defenders of Festung Budapest (Siege of Budapest, until February 12, 1945).
Variants
- DFS 230 A-1 - Initial production version
- DFS 230 A-2 - A-1 with dual-controls
- DFS 230 B-1 - Braking parachute added, able to carry defensive armament (MG 34 machine gun)
- DFS 230 B-2 - B-1 with dual-controls
- DFS 230 C-1 - Late production version; B-1 with nose braking rockets
- DFS 230 D-1 - C-1 with improved nose braking rocket design, one prototype (DFS 230 V6)
- DFS 230 F-1 - larger version with capacity for 15 soldiers, one prototype (DFS 230 V7, DV+AV)
Specifications (DFS 230)
 |
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them. |
General characteristics
- Crew: one, pilot
- Capacity: 10 equipped troops (including pilot) + 270 kg
- Typical Tow : Junkers Ju 52/3m
Performance
- Free glide sink rate : 1.2 m/s (240 ft/min)
- Best glide ratio : 18
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
- List of military aircraft of Germany
- List of World War II military aircraft of Germany
- List of gliders