Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu (Owl) Twin-Engine Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft

Specifications

Year: 1940
Status: Retired, Out-of-Service
Manufacturer(s): Focke-Wulf - Nazi Germany
Production: 848
Capabilities: Reconnaissance (RECCE);

Crew: 3
Length: 39.47 ft (12.03 m)
Width: 60.37 ft (18.4 m)
Height: 10.17 ft (3.1 m)
Weight (MTOW): 9,193 lb (4,170 kg)

Power: 2 x Argus As 410A-1 12-cylinder engine developing 465 horsepower each.

Speed: 217 mph (350 kph; 189 kts)
Ceiling: 23,950 feet (7,300 m; 4.54 miles)
Range: 416 miles (670 km; 362 nm)

Operators: Nazi Germany

The Focke-Wulf brand Fw 189 Uhu (translated to "Owl") was of the most peculiar aircraft design for the German Luftwaffe in the Second World War, but by no means made less lethal by its appearance. The system accounted for a successful operational run across the Eastern Front against the Russians, where it was used in a short-range tactical reconnaissance role with limited usage in a nightfighting capacity. In all, the 848 examples would produce several variants, each with specialized changes and modifications to suit required roles.

The Fw 189 was of a twin-engine design, made up of a long-spanning wing element and twin booms. The Fw 189 system was crewed by three personnel (consisting of the pilot and two gunners) positioned in a cockpit sitting high above and between the engine booms featuring a nearly all-glazed greenhouse-type design. The three crew consisted of the pilot and two gunners - one gunner manning a twin barrel dorsal machine gun mounting and the other a twin-barrel machine gun mounting in a tail cone turret assembly. An additional 441lbs of external stores were afforded the system.

The real dedicated role of the Fw 189 was as a reconnaissance aircraft and the systems were fielded en masse against the Soviets. Though range limited the system to just 416 miles, no fewer than 30 Fw 189's were converted to the nightfighter role to combat light Soviet fighter incursions occurring on a regular basis along the front. In all, the Fw 189 system maintained a successful service record and played an important - albeit limited role - in the Eastern Front offensives.

Graphical image of an aircraft medium machine gun

Graphical image of an aircraft conventional drop bomb munition

Armament

2 x 7.92mm machine guns (in wing roots)
2 x 7.92mm twin-barrel machine gun (in dorsal gun position)
2 x 7.92mm twin-barrel machine gun (in tail turret cone position)

Maximum bomb load of up to 441lbs.

Variants / Models

• Fw 189A - Base Production Model Designation
• Fw 189A-2 - Improved defensive armament
• Fw 189A-3 - Trainer with dual-control arrangement.
• Fw 189A-4 - Tactical Attack Model with improved underside armoring and 20mm cannon.