DFS 331

DFS 331 V-1
Role	Troop glider
Manufacturer	DFS/Gotha
First flight	1942
Number built	1

The DFS 331 was a transport glider prototype developed as a collaboration between DFS and Gotha. The glider was designed by Dr Hans Jacob who has worked on the earlier DFS 230. Intended as a medium transport glider, it addressed many of the issues with the earlier DFS 230.^[1]

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 light military vehicles. The single prototype was built and flown in 1941. The project was passed over in favour of the Gotha Go 242.^[1]

Specifications (DFS 331)

General characteristics

• Crew: two, pilot
• Capacity: approx 2,000 kg of cargo or 20 men ^[2]
• Length: 15.81 m (51.9 ft)
• Wingspan: 23.00 m (75.5 ft)
• Height: 3.55 m (11.65 ft)
• Wing area: 60.0 m² (650 ft²)
• Empty weight: 2,270 kg (5,000 lbs)
• Loaded weight: 4,770 kg (10,500 lbs)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 330 km/h (205 mph)
• Cruise speed: 270 km/h (170 mph)

Armament

2 x MG 15

See also

Related development

• Gotha Go 242
• DFS 230
  

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Waco CG-4A
• General Aircraft Hotspur
• Airspeed Horsa
• Slingsby Hengist
• Gribovski G-11
• Antonov A-7
  

Related lists

• List of World War II military gliders
• List of military aircraft of Germany
• List of World War II military aircraft of Germany
• List of gliders
  

References

• Nowarra, Heinz; Force, Ed (1991). German Gliders in World War II. U.S.: Schiffer Publishing Ltd.. ISBN 0887403581. 

1. ^ ^{a b} Wood, Alan (1990). History of the World's Glider Forces. Patrick Stephens Limited. ISBN 185260275. 
2. ^ There are no figures given for the capacity of the glider, but the difference between its empty and flying weight is 2,500 kg