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Fw 190 Würger

Country Germany Manufacturer Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau GmbH Primary Role Fighter Maiden Flight 1 June 1939

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe prototype Fw 190 Würger ("Shrike") aircraft flew on 1 Jun 1939. The maneuverable and speedy aircraft very quickly made a good impression on the Luftwaffe officers, and by late 1940 they were seen on the front lines, though they did not serve in combat roles until Aug 1941. Engine reliability issues caused by overheating, however, plagued Fw 190 fighters until spring of 1942 when BMW engines arrived. With the engine reliability issue resolved, they were seriously considered for ground attack roles. The Germany Army considered them a good candidate for close ground support because there were no liquid cooling systems that were vulnerable to battle damage; the BMW radial engines were air cooled. The sturdy and wide undercarriage also made them ideal for landing and taking off from crude airfields on the front lines.

ww2dbaseWhen the British first encountered Fw 190 fighters, they had no idea they were facing a new type of aircraft; the British pilots thought they were facing captured French fighters, but the outstanding performance of the hostile German aircraft eventually generated some suspicions. It was not until the British captured one in Jun 1942 before they confirmed it was a completely new German design. It was not until that time the British realized the Germans had the potential to outclass the sluggish Spitfire fighters with the Fw 190 aircraft.

ww2dbaseJapan was given a Fw 190 fighter of the A-8 variant by Germany for technical evaluation. The results of the study by Japanese engineers were incorporated in the design of the Ki-61 fighter.

ww2dbaseAltogether, 20,051 were delivered during the war.

ww2dbaseSources: Aircraft of the Second World War, Spearhead for Blitzkrieg; Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Mar 2007

Fw 190 Würger Timeline

1 Jun 1939 The Focke-Wulf Fw-190 fighter made its maiden flight at Bremen, Germany. The aircraft displayed excellent handling characteristics and was highly maneuverable but suffered from engine overheating problems which required the fitting on a redesigned engine cowling to overcome. 23 Jun 1942 Anxious to learn the secrets of the Luftwaffe's new Focke-Wulf 190 fighter, the British was planning a Commando-type raid to steal one from a French airfield. They were saved the trouble when disorientated German pilot Lieutenant Arnim Faber of 111/JG2 landed his Fw 190A-3 fighter at RAF Pembrey in South Wales, United Kingdom, mistaking it for an airfield in France. The captured aircraft was taken to the Air Fighting Development Unit at Duxford, England, United Kingdom where it was discovered, during trials, that the Fw 190A was superior in all respects except turning circle to the Spitfire VB then equipping most of RAF Fighter Command.

SPECIFICATIONS

A-8



Machinery One BMW 801Dg 18-cyl two-row radial engine rated at 1,700hp (2,100hp with boost) Armament 2x13mm MG 131, 4x20mm MG 151, optional 1x500kg bomb Crew 1 Span 10.51 m Length 9.00 m Height 3.96 m Wing Area 18.30 m² Weight, Empty 3,200 kg Weight, Loaded 4,900 kg Speed, Maximum 653 km/h Service Ceiling 11,410 m Range, Normal 900 km

D-9



Machinery One Junkers Jumo 213A-1 12-cyl inverted-V liquid cooled engine rated at 1,776hp (2,240hp with boost) Armament 2x13mm MG 131, 4x20mm MG 151, optional 1x500kg bomb Crew 1 Span 10.50 m Length 10.20 m Height 3.35 m Wing Area 18.30 m² Weight, Empty 3,500 kg Weight, Loaded 4,840 kg Speed, Maximum 704 km/h Service Ceiling 10,000 m Range, Normal 900 km

Ta-152H-1



Machinery One Junkers Jumo 213E-1 rated at 1,880hp (2,250hp with boost) Armament 1x30mm MK 198, 2x20mm MG 151, optional 2x20mm MG 151, optional 1x1,800kg bomb Crew 1 Span 14.44 m Length 10.82 m Height 3.55 m Wing Area 14.44 m² Weight, Empty 3,600 kg Weight, Loaded 5,500 kg Speed, Maximum 755 km/h Service Ceiling 15,000 m Range, Normal 1,200 km

Photographs

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