Focke-Wulf Fw 187 Falke (Falcon)
Nazi Germany (1937)
Detailing the development and operational history of the Focke-Wulf Fw 187 Falke (Falcon) Heavy Escort Fighter.
Entry last updated on 7/29/2015; Authored by Staff Writer; Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com Focke-Wulf Fw 187 Falke (Falcon)
The Focke-Wulf design of the Fw 187 Falcon compared favorably in most respects to the Messerschmitt Bf 110 design - but was not ordered in quantity.
Despite demonstrating some impressive performance statistics from underpowered engines, the Focke-Wulf product Fw 187 Falke (or "Falcon") never materialized into a production quantity models. Similar in design and reach to the Messerschmitt Bf 110, the Fw 187 was seen as more of a "tweener" type aircraft - neither a fighter or a true dedicated destroyer despite some very obvious benefits in the aircraft. Nevertheless the design is noteworthy in that is was a capable system with formidable firepower, good handling characteristics and, with only a few production aircraft delivered, saw action in the defense of a local Bremen Focke-Wulf plant.
Design of the Fw 187 was conventional for a twin-engine fighter type of the times. The ever-increasing power of piston engines allowed for more radical airframe designs thus giving birth to the multi-engine fighter philosophy. the Fw 187 featured twin Junkers Jumo 12-cylinder engines straddling either side of the cockpit and mounted low on low-monoplane wings. Upward and directional visibility was deemed good with the extreme-forward cockpit positioning done in only by the wing area and engines. The green-house style cockpit sat in a slender and longish fuselage which ended in a traditional T-type empennage. The powerful offensive armament of the aircraft was a mix of cannon and machine guns culminating in a battery of 2 x 20mm cannons and an array of 4 x 7.92mm machines - a formidable armament certainly capable of bringing down any bomber or fighter alike.
Performance from the Jumo engines was better than expected with a top reported speed of 329 miles per hour. The achievable service ceiling was well above 32,000 feet though the optimal operating range for the aircraft is unknown in many sources. Despite these statistics, the Fw 187 was done in by the internal workings of the RLM and thusly the Messerschmitt BF 110 "Destroyer" was green-lighted against the Fw 187 design. Only three of the seven ordered Fw 187A-0 pre-production models were delivered.
Design of the Fw 187 was conventional for a twin-engine fighter type of the times. The ever-increasing power of piston engines allowed for more radical airframe designs thus giving birth to the multi-engine fighter philosophy. the Fw 187 featured twin Junkers Jumo 12-cylinder engines straddling either side of the cockpit and mounted low on low-monoplane wings. Upward and directional visibility was deemed good with the extreme-forward cockpit positioning done in only by the wing area and engines. The green-house style cockpit sat in a slender and longish fuselage which ended in a traditional T-type empennage. The powerful offensive armament of the aircraft was a mix of cannon and machine guns culminating in a battery of 2 x 20mm cannons and an array of 4 x 7.92mm machines - a formidable armament certainly capable of bringing down any bomber or fighter alike.
Performance from the Jumo engines was better than expected with a top reported speed of 329 miles per hour. The achievable service ceiling was well above 32,000 feet though the optimal operating range for the aircraft is unknown in many sources. Despite these statistics, the Fw 187 was done in by the internal workings of the RLM and thusly the Messerschmitt BF 110 "Destroyer" was green-lighted against the Fw 187 design. Only three of the seven ordered Fw 187A-0 pre-production models were delivered.
Picture of the Focke-Wulf Fw 187 Falke (Falcon) Heavy Escort Fighter
Any available statistics for the Focke-Wulf Fw 187 Falke (Falcon) Heavy Escort Fighter are showcased in the areas immediately below. Categories include basic specifications covering country-of-origin, operational status, manufacture(s) and total quantitative production. Other qualities showcased are related to structural values (namely dimensions), installed power and standard day performance figures, installed or proposed armament and mission equipment (if any), global users (from A-to-Z) and series model variants (if any).
Focke-Wulf Fw 187A-0 Falke (Falcon) Specifications
Nazi Germany
Year: 1937
Type: Heavy Escort Fighter
Manufacturer(s): Focke-Wulf - Germany
Production: 9
Supported Mission Types
Air-to-Air
Interception
Unmanned
Ground Attack
Close-Air Support
Training
Anti-Submarine
Anti-Ship
Airborne Early Warning
MEDEVAC
Electronic Warfare
Maritime/Navy
Aerial Tanker
Utility/Transport
Passenger Industry
VIP Travel
Business Travel
Search/Rescue
Recon/Scouting
Special Forces
X-Plane/Development
Crew: 2
Length: 36.42 ft (11.1 m)
Width: 50.20 ft (15.30 m)
Height: 12.63 ft (3.85 m)
Empty Weight: 8,157 lb (3,700 kg)
MTOW: 11,023 lb (5,000 kg)
Installed Power
2 x Junkers Jumo 210Ga 12-cylinder engines developing 700 horsepower.
Standard Day Performance
Maximum Speed: 329 mph (529 kph; 286 kts)
Service Ceiling: 32,808 ft (10,000 m; 6.21 mi)
Rate-of-Climb: 3,445 ft/min (1,050 m/min)
Armament
2 x 20mm MG FF cannons
4 x 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns
Operators List
Nazi Germany
Series Model Variants
• Fw 187V-1 - Developmental Model
• Fw 187V-2 - Developmental Model
• Fw 187V-3 - Developmental Model; would lead to pre-production design model.
• Fw 187V-4 - Developmental Model
• Fw 187V-5 - Developmental Model
• Fw 187V-6 - Developmental Model
• Fw 187A-0 - Pre-Production Designation of which seven were ordered but only 3 placed into service; based on the Fw 187V-3 developmental model.
Supported Weapon Systems
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