Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Wurger (Shrike) Fighter / Bomber - History, Specs and Pictures

Authored By Staff Writer | Last Updated: 7/29/2010

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 is regarded by many to be Germany's best fighter aircraft of World War 2.

Follow Military Factory on Facebook:

Trending on Military Factory:

Compare Aircraft
You Know You Want To

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles of the World Listing

UAVs
Eyes in the Skies

Top 10 Fighters
The Best of the Best

World War 2 Aircraft
Age of the Metal Monoplane

World War 1 Aircraft
Of Canvas and Wood

Vietnam War Aircraft
Last of the Gunfighters

Korean War Aircraft
Dance of the Jets

Recent Articles:

The BAe Systems Mantis Unmanned Aerial Vehicle serves as an important technology demonstrator for Europe

Lightweight by no means, the 7.58cm Minenwerfer was the most portable of the German trench mortars of WW1

Amidst budget constraints, the French Navy has managed to lease the all-modern L'Adroit P725 patrol vessel

The M108 of 1952 preceded the more famous M109 Paladin self-propelled gun series and saw action in Vietnam

Born as the M1 during World War 2, this howitzer became the M114 in 1962 and saw widespread use around the globe

The German invasion of 1941 was eventually undone with Soviet artillery such as the 100mm M1944 dual-role series

The EX 41 from Naval Ordnance Station Louisville became an abandoned multi-shot grenade launcher project

Whether known as the Blooper, Bloop Tube, Thumper or Thump-Gun, the M79 grenade launcher proved its worth

Temporarily unable to net itself F-16s or F-20s, Taiwan moved on to develop its own F-CK-1 "Ching-Kuo" fighter

When losses to IEDs started to mount, the US military turned to such MRAPs as the Navistar MaxxPro

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 single-seat fighter is held by some to be the best German piston fighter of the Second World War - and with good reason as the weapon system accounted for hundreds of Allied bomber and fighter losses throughout its lengthy production run. The Fw 190 was the product of engineering by the famed aviation architect Kurt Tank, who wanted to set out to prove that air-cooled piston-engine fighters could still compete on an equal playing surface with liquid-cooled counterparts. The resulting aircraft became the fighter that would replace the much respected Me / Bf 109 fighter dominating the skies.

While the Spitfire V series reclaimed air superiority for Britain, it was soon to be tested against the might of the Fw 190. From 1942 onwards, the Fw 190 would be utilized in a myriad of variants and roles. With each new development, the armament was increased and radical upgrades and tests were run on the powerplants that sometimes featured injections of different explosive chemical combinations for improved performance.

Some specialty derivatives were constructed out of need including torpedo bombers, nightfighters, ground attack variants and high-altitude models. The high altitude models were specifically design by Tank to combat the impending arrival of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress in the European Theater (a situation that would never historically happen). Other models provided the Fw 190 with air-to-air high explosive rockets that could tear through bomber formations at will.

In the end, the Fw 190 could be seen running day and night over every major front near and over Germany. At war's end, American test pilot Charles Yeager would comment on how the Fw 190 was really the only competition facing the famed North American P-51 Mustang in terms of firepower and performance. With that said, some experts testify that the Fw 190 was equal or more so capable than was the P-51 Mustang in terms of all-out fighter/interceptor design. The Fw 190 would eventually lead up to the limited production model of the Ta-152 - a high-flying variant based highly on the successful Fw 190 airframe. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
MilitaryFactory.com does NOT sell equipment/weaponry. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance or general operation. Please consult manufacturers for such information. Our disclaimer. Email corrections / Comments to MilitaryFactory at Gmail dot com.

Picture of Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Wurger (Shrike)

Pic of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Wurger (Shrike)

Image of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Wurger (Shrike)

View All Images (6)

Specifications for the
Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Wurger (Shrike)
Fighter / Bomber

Country of Origin: Nazi Germany
Manufacturer: Fock-Wulf - Germany
Initial Year of Service: 1939
Production: 20,000

Focus Model: Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9 Wurger (Shrike)
Crew: 1

Length: 33.46ft (10.2m)
Width: 34.45ft (10.50m)
Height: 10.99ft (3.35m)
Weight (Empty): 7,694lbs (3,490kg)
Weight (MTOW): 10,688lbs (4,848kg)

Powerplant: 1 x Junkers Jumo 213A-1 inverted V piston engine generating 1,776hp.

Maximum Speed: 426mph (685kmh; 370kts)
Maximum Range: 519miles (835km)
Service Ceiling: 39,370ft (12,000m; 7.5miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 2,812 feet per minute (857m/min)

Hardpoints: 3
Armament Suite:
STANDARD:
2 x 13mm machine guns
2 x 20mm cannons

OPTIONAL:
External payload of up to 1,102lbs (500kg)

Variants:
Fw 190 V1 � Prototype Model; fitted with BMW 139 engine of 1,550 horsepower.

Fw 190 A - Base production model

Fw 190 A-0 � Preproduction Model Designation; 28 examples produced.

Fw 190 A-1 - Role specific optimized variant; appeared in June 1941; fitted with BMW 801C-1 engines of 1,560 horsepower; longer propeller; 4 x 7.92mm machine guns (2 in fuselage and 2 in wing roots) and 2 x 20mm cannons in outboard wings; bulged engine cowlings.

Fw 190 A-2 - Role specific optimized variant; appeared in October 1941; fitted with BMW 801 C-2 engine of 1,600 horsepower; redesigned exhaust system; upgraded gun sight; 2 x 7.92mm machine guns in fuselage and 4 x 20mm cannons (2 replaced original 7.92mm machine guns) in wings.

Fw 190 A-3 - Role specific optimized variant; appearing in spring of 1942; fitted with BMW 801 D-2 engines of 1,754 horsepower; centerline bomb rack.

Fw 190 A-3a � First appearing in fall of 1942; Turkish export versions; fitted with 4 x 7.92mm machine guns and 2 x 20mm cannons (same as A-1 model).

Fw 190 A-4 - Role specific optimized variant; appeared in July 1942; improved radio equipment; similar to A-3 in most respects (armament/engine).

Fw 190 A-4/U1 � Centerline bomb rack fitted; MG 151 cannons retained but all other machine gun armament removed.

Fw 190 A-4/U3 � Similar to U1 model; some converted to nightfighter duty; served as basis for Fw 190 F-1 �assault� fighter version.

Fw 190 A-4/U4 � Dedicated Reconnaissance Platform; fitted with photographic cameras; armament of machine gun and cannons fuselage mounted.

Fw 190 A-4/U7 � High-Altitude Variant; compressor intakes implemented on side cowlings.

Fw 190 A-4/U8 � Would later serve as basis for Fw 190 G-1 model.

Fw 190 A-4/R6 � Fitted with underwing rocket mortar weaponry

Fw 190 A-5 - Role specific optimized variant; revised engine placement; fitted with BMW 801 D-2 engine of 1,700 horsepower; MW 50 power boost capable.

Fw 190 A-5/U2 � Dedicated Nightfighter; 2 x 20mm MG151 cannons.

Fw 190 A-5/U3 � Nightfighter with provision for fuel tanks and bombs; 2 x 20mm MG151 cannons.

Fw 190 A-5/U4 � Dedicated Reconnaissance Fighter; fitted with cameras.

Fw 190 A-5/U8 � Nightfighter fitted with underwing racks for centerline bombs and underwing fuel drop tanks; 2 x 20mm MG151 cannons; later to become the Fw 190 G-2 model series.

Fw 190 A-5/U12 � Bomber Interceptor Variant; fitted with two underwing gun pods for array of 2 x 7.92mm machine guns and 6 x 20mm MG151 cannons.

Fw 190 A-5/U12 � Prototype Model

Fw 190 A-5R11 � Nightfighter Conversion Model; fitted with radar.

Fw 190 A-6 - Role specific optimized variant; new wing design; extra ammunition for 2 x 7.92mm fuselage machine guns and 4 x 20mm wing-mounted cannons; improved radio navigation system; streamlined centerline bomb/fuel rack fitting.

Fw 190 A-7 - Role specific optimized variant; based on the Fw 190 A-5/U9 prototype; fitted with BMW 801 D-2 engine of 1,700 horsepower; 2 x 20mm MG 131 cannons replacing standard MG17 7.92mm fuselage machine guns; upgraded gun sight.

Fw 190 A-8 - Role specific optimized variant; improved bubble canopy.

Fw 190 A-9 � Final A-Series Production Models; fitted with BMW 801S engines of 1,973 horsepower; improved engine armor protection; improved radiator system.

Fw 190 A-10 � High-Altitude Prototype Development

Fw 190 B - Wider wing span; higher altitude capability; pressurized cockpit; turbocharged BMW 801 engine.

Fw 190 C - High altitude capability; turbocharged Daimler-Benz DB 603 powerplant.

Fw 190 D �Dora� - Main service model by 1944; fitted with Junkers Jumo 213 supercharged engine.

Fw 190 D-0 � Developmental Prototype; fitted with Jumo 213a engine.

Fw 190 D-1 � Developmental Prototype

Fw 190 D-2 � Developmental Prototype

Fw 190 D-9 - Role specific optimized variant

Fw 190 D-10 - Role specific optimized variant

Fw 190 D-11 - Role specific optimized variant; fitted with uprated Jumo 213E engines; 17 examples produced.

Fw 190 D-12 - Role specific optimized variant; based on D-11 model; Mk 108 30mm cannon in propeller hub.

Fw 190 D-13 - Role specific optimized variant; based on D-11 model; Mk 151/20 20mm cannon in propeller hub.

Fw 190 D-13/R11 � All-Weather Development

Fw 190 E - Proposed reconnaissance fighter

Fw 190 F - Ground attack model based on Fw 190 A-4 powerplant.

Fw 190 F-1 � Improved under-fuselage armor; centerline and wing bomb racks.

Fw 190 F-2 � Based on Fw 190 A-5/U3; replaced F-1 series on production lines.

Fw 190 F-3 � Based on Fw 190 A-5/U17; 432 examples produced.

Fw 190 F-4 � Abandoned Strafing Design Variant

Fw 190 F-5 � Abandoned Strafing Design Variant

Fw 190 F-6 � Abandoned Strafing Design Variant

Fw 190 F-7 � Abandoned Strafing Design Variant

Fw 190 F-8 � Improved radio equipment; redesigned compressor for low-altitude boost in performance; 2 x 20mm MG151/20 cannons in wing roots and 2 x 7.92mm MG131 machine guns above engine housing; 3,400 examples produced.

Fw 190 F-8/U1 � Long-Range Nightfighter; underwing and centerline provision for fuel tanks and/or bombs.

Fw 190 F-8/U2 � Torpedo Bomber

Fw 190 F-8/U3 � Heavy Torpedo Bomber

Fw 190 F-8/U4 � Nightfighter

Fw 190 F-9 � Based on the Fw 190 A-9; redesigned empennage as found on the Ta 152 development; 147 examples produced.

Fw 190 G � Long-Range Attack Model; based on the Fw 190 A-5 powerplant.

Fw 190 G-1 � Based on the Fw 190 A-4/U8

Fw 190 G-2 � Based on the Fw 190 A-5/U8

Fw 190 G-3 � Based on the Fw 190 A-6

Fw 190 G-8 � Based on the Fw 190 A-8

Fw 190 A8-U1 � Original Designation for Trainer Fw 190�s.

Fw 190 S-5 � Trainer Variant