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| The best of the German-produced piston-engine fighters that made a name for aircraft designer Kurt Tank. |
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The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 was a fighter aircraft design by designer Kurt Tank. His idea was to produce an air-cooled radial-engined aircraft over the traditional inline water-cooled variety that required extra room and weight for the water-cooling system. The idea revolved around careful attention to a streamlined and yet functional design. The first prototype (of which 3 were produced) first flew in June of 1939. A larger wing area and span was used for the final version of the Fw 190A model.
As a fighter, the single engine piston design was small and lightweight, making it ideal as a dogfighter. Handling was smooth with some noticeable 'bounce' but control could be countered well by the experienced pilot. Visibility front, sides and to the rear were well-thoughout and the system could double as a fighter-bomber in a pinch. The powerful piston engine was fluid and provided enough horsepower that the system could prove to be quite formidable in capable hands.
Armament of the Fw 190A included four 20 mm cannons in the wings and two 7.92 mm machine guns in the nose, making it a heavily-armed wartime aircraft. It was arguably the better fighter when compared to the similar Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter, though the production of the Bf 109 outnumbered it on the Eastern Front.
The Fw 190 would go on to see a multitude of variants presented and produced including all-weather interceptor, torpedor dive bombers, close-support (ground attack), and reconnaissance. The Fw 190D model became the main service model in 1944, and is regarded as the best of Germany's wartime piston-engine fighters. Equally adept at interception, ground attack, and bomber group support, the agile and fast fighter was highly regarded by both sides as a revolutionary and successful piston engine design.
Famous American aviator Chuck Yeager, after flying the German Fw 190, concluded that the Fw 190 was the only German fighter in the same class as the highly regarded and expertly proven North American P-51 Mustang.
About 19,500 Fw 190's were built pre-war and in war time.
Specifications for the Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8:
Designation: Fw 190A-8
Manufacturer: Focke-Wulf
Powerplant: 1 x 1,600 hp BMW 801C-1 air-cooled radial engine
Length: 29 feet
Wing Span: 34.45 feet
Weight: 7,000 lbs(Empty); 10,805 lbs (MTOW)
Maximum Speed: 408 mph
Maximum Range: 500 miles
Armament: 4 x 20mm cannons; 2 x 0.31 caliber (7.92mm) machine guns; 2,205lbs of bombs
Crew: 1 Pilot
More Pictures of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Fighter Plane
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