Supermodel 10-017 Blohm und Voss Bv 138 — 1:72 Plastic model aircraft kit no manual

Manufacturer: Supermodel
Kit number: 10-017 / SPM10-017
Aircraft: Blohm und Voss Bv 138 Seedrache
Scale: 1:72
Barcode / EAN: 8001283100175
Kit type: Injection-moulded plastic aircraft kit
Country of origin: Italy
Status: Discontinued / vintage
Documented reissue: 2010
Manufacturer and kit background

Supermodel was an Italian plastic-model brand specialising heavily in Italian and less-common WWII aircraft. Its kits are now regarded as vintage tooling and several subjects have become quite difficult to find.

The 10-017 Bv 138 is one of the more unusual subjects in the range. The documented 2010 reissue was a limited reissue of the original Supermodel tooling, and the kit was supplied with markings for three aircraft. It also included parts for the unsuccessful MS minesweeper version, including the distinctive degaussing ring, together with a beaching trolley.

The moulding is older-generation tooling, with raised panel lines rather than modern recessed engraving. Nevertheless, the kit gives the modeller an unusual large German flying boat in a manageable scale. A detailed reference describes the kit as having a complete flight deck, figures for the pilot, co-pilot and radar operator, and movable fore and aft machine-gun turrets.
Kit contents

The documented contents include:

Injection-moulded plastic sprues

Clear plastic parts

Waterslide decal sheet

Parts for the standard Bv 138

Degaussing ring for the Bv 138 MS minesweeper configuration

Beaching trolley

Detailed interior/flight deck

Pilot, co-pilot and radar-operator figures

Movable fore and aft machine-gun turrets

Markings for three aircraft

A current/archived dealer description confirms the basic contents as plastic sprues, clear sprue and decal sheet, while the Supermodel reissue information confirms the additional minesweeper and beaching-trolley components.

The kit's box is relatively large for a 1:72 single aircraft, recorded at approximately 42 × 29 × 5.5 cm, reflecting the substantial wingspan and hull of the Bv 138.

One useful point for a collector is that the minesweeper equipment and beaching trolley are part of the special reissue, so an incomplete second-hand kit should be checked carefully for these unusual pieces rather than just the main aircraft components.
The full-size aircraft

The Blohm und Voss Bv 138 Seedrache, or Sea Dragon, was Germany's principal long-range maritime reconnaissance flying boat during WWII.

The aircraft had a very distinctive configuration: a central hull, three engines, high-mounted wings and twin tail booms. The unusual arrangement resulted partly from the design work of Richard Vogt, and the aircraft went through several redesigns before entering operational service.

The prototype first flew on 15 July 1937, with operational aircraft appearing in 1940. Approximately 297 Bv 138s were produced between 1937 and 1943.

Production aircraft were powered by three Junkers Jumo 205D six-cylinder diesel engines, each producing approximately 880 hp. The aircraft had a maximum speed of around 275 km/h and a range of roughly 5,000 km, making it particularly suitable for long maritime patrols.

Armament varied, but aircraft could carry 20 mm MG 151 cannon and 13 mm MG 131 machine guns, together with additional defensive MG positions. Many later aircraft were equipped with the FuG 200 Hohentwiel maritime-search radar.

The Bv 138's large hull allowed it to operate from water while its long range made it valuable for locating Allied shipping and supporting German naval operations.

The Bv 138 MS minesweeper version was an unusual development, fitted with equipment associated with detecting and clearing magnetic mines. This explains the inclusion of the large degaussing ring in the Supermodel kit.
Model size

At 1:72, the full-size aircraft's approximately 19.5 m wingspan becomes roughly 27 cm on the model. Its long hull and twin-boom tail make the completed kit visually distinctive despite being a 1:72 aircraft.