DFS 230

The DFS 230 was a German transport glider operated by the Luftwaffe in World War II. It was developed in 1933 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 9 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, 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)