Designed by chief engineer Kurt Tank, the aircraft was initially developed for two alternative power plants, the inline Daimler Benz DB 601 and the radial BMW 139. The choice of a radial engine was controversial as it was thought the large frontal area would adversely affect performance. However, it offered more power and was chosen for the first prototype that flew in June 1939.
Variants
The FW 190A was designed as a fighter with machine guns in the nose and cannons fitted on the wings. Some 82 FW 190A-1 fighters were in service by the end of September 1941.
They surprised the RAF over the Channel as they proved superior to the Spitfire Mk V at the disastrous 1942 Dieppe Raid in France and were not matched until the Spitfire Mk IX came into service in late 1942. By that time half of all German fighters built were FW 190s.
Specification FW 190A-8
Crew: One
Length: 29 ft 4 in (8.95 m)
Wingspan: 34 ft 5 in (10.5 m)
Height: 13 ft 0 in (3.96 m)
Max T/o: 10,800 lb (4900 kg)
Performance
Max speed: 408 mph (654 km/h)
Range: 500 miles (805 km)
Ceiling: 11,400 m (37,400 ft)
Powerplant: BMW 801D-2 14 cylinder radial piston
Output: 2100 hp (1567 kw)
Armament
Two 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns, four 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, one 500 kg and two 250 bombs
As the Junkers Ju 87 (the “Stuka”) dive bomber was proving to be too vulnerable to attack the FW 190F and 190G variants were developed for ground attack – the latter having extended range due the fitting of drop-tanks below the wings. The F models could carry a variety of ordnance and had improved armour protection for the pilot.
On February 9th 1945 the FW 190F-8 shown above, piloted by Heinz Orlowski, was in a duel with a Mustang P1, flown by Cecil Claude Caesar, around Førde Fjord, Norway. It resulted in both planes crashing – Orlowski survived a parachute escape while Caesar died with his aircraft. The Focke Wulf was recovered from the crash site and eventually fully restored by GossHawk Unlimited in Casa Grande, Arizona.
In an attempt to improve the high-altitude performance, versus the Spitfire IX, work began to increase the performance of BMW 801 D-2 engine in a model designated FW 190B. Further changes were to lengthen the wings, provide a pressurised cabin and introduce GM-1 nitrous injection for a power boost – now designated FW 190C. The developments provide unsuccessful and the design was abandoned in favour of FW 190C which became a step to Langnasen-Dora (Longnose-Dora) FW 190D which used the inverted inline Junkers Jumo 21 engine plus a MW50 water, methanol booster to improve rate of climb and top speed.
The 190D was first delivered in mid/late 1944 and were primarily used to defend the Messerschmitt ME 262 jet bases. Various sub-variants were produced with FW D-12 having an uprated Jumo 213 F-1 engine. Few were built before the war ended in May 1945.
Specification FW 190D-9
Crew: One
Length: 33 ft 5 in (10.19 m)
Wingspan: 34 ft 5 in (10.5 m)
Height: 13 ft 0 in (3.96 m)
Max T/o: 10,670 lb (4840 kg)
Performance
Max speed: 426 mph (686 km/h)
Range: 520 miles (837 km)
Ceiling: 10,000 m (32,800ft)
Powerplant: One 1320kW (1770hp) Junkers Jumo 213A-1 12 cylinder inverted-V piston engine
Armament
Two 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, two 13 mm MG 131 mchine guns; one 500 kg bomb
Sources for above include:
Jane’s Vintage Aircraft Recognition Guide by Tony Homes. Collins 2005. ISBN 0-00-719292-4
German Aircraft of World Watt II by Thomas Nedock. Amber Books 2020. ISBN 978-1-78274-968-4
Focke Wulf 190 Wikipedia
Focke Wulf 190 The Aviation History |Online Museum
Design History of the Fw-190
American Heritage Museum
History of War Articles
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