The BV 138 model airplane production aircraft had rectangular section stressed-skin metal tail booms replacing the earlier tubular booms. They suffered from vibration, which in turn caused crew fatigue.
Nose armament was especially effective, with a power-operated turret mounting a 20-mm (0.79-in.) MG FF cannon. The BV 138B-1 used the faster firing MG 151 cannon.
One of the BV 138s best features was its flying controls. These were hydraulically operated and fabric covered, making the aircraft easy to fly. Wing construction was all-metal with a tubular main spar. It was built in three sections.
With the increase in weight caused by structural modifications. The BV 138 was considered somewhat under powered This was remedied in the BV 138B-1 by the installation of Jumo 205D engines.
The biggest fault was the hull design which was not sufficiently strong to withstand the stresses imposed by rough seas at maximum load.
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