The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger ("shrike"), also called Butcher-bird, was a single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft of Germany's Luftwaffe, and one of the best fighters of its generation. Used extensively during the Second World War, over 20,000 were manufactured, including around 6,000 fighter-bomber models. Production ran from 1941 to the end of hostilities, during which time the aircraft was continually updated. Its later versions retained qualitative parity with Allied fighter planes, but Germany was not able to produce the aircraft in enough numbers to affect the outcome of the war.
The Fw 190 was well liked by its pilots, and was quickly proven to be superior to the RAF's main front line fighter, the Spitfire Mk. V, on its combat debut in 1941. Compared to the Bf 109, the Fw 190 was a "workhorse", employed in and proved suitable for a wide variety of roles, including ground attack, night fighter-bomber, long-range bomber escort, night-fighter and high-altitude interceptor.
Type: Fighter
Manufacturer: Primarily Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau AG, but also Ago, Arado, Fieseler, Mimetall, Norddeutsche Dornier and others
Designed by Kurt Tank
Maiden flight June 1, 1939
Introduced August 1941
Retired 1945
Number built: Over 20,000
General characteristics:
Crew: One
Length: 29' 0"
Wingspan: 34' 5"
Height: 13" 0'
Wing area: 196.99'
Empty weight: 7,060 lb
Loaded weight: 9,735 lb
Max takeoff weight: 10,800 lb
Powerplant: 1× BMW 801 D-2 radial engine, 1,730 hp; 2,000 hp with boost
Performance:
Maximum speed: 383 mph at 19,420 ft, 408 mph with boost
Range: 500 miles
Service ceiling 37,430 ft.
Rate of climb: 2560 feet per minute.
Wing loading: 49.4 lb/ft²
Power/mass: 0.18 - 0.21 hp/lb
Armament:
Two 13 mm MG 131 machine guns with 475 rounds per gun.
Four 20 mm MG 151/20 E cannons with 250 rounds per gun in the wing root and 140 rounds per gun outboard.
At least 28 exist in museums, collections and in storage worldwide, with 15 displayed in the United States.
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