The story
When the Fw 190 appeared over France in 1941 it outclassed the Spitfire Mk V in almost everything but turning, and the RAF had to rush the Spitfire IX into service to answer it. Kurt Tank designed it around a big BMW radial with wide-track landing gear and electrically driven systems, a fighter built to be flown from rough fields by tired pilots. One original A-5, recovered from a Russian marsh, has flown again on a rebuilt BMW 801; most others in the air are new-build Flug Werk airframes with Chinese-built radials.
The Fw 190 used electric motors for its landing gear and tailplane trim and loaded its guns electrically, an unusual choice in an era of hydraulic fighters.
Quick answers
How do you identify a Fw 190?
A tight cowling around a radial engine with a big spinner, a wide-track gear, and a square-tipped wing. Looks compact and purposeful; often in Luftwaffe mottled grey.
What does a Fw 190 sound like?
A big twin-row radial with a deep, rough roar; the Russian-engined new-builds sound close to the original.
How fast is the Fw 190?
Top speed is 355 kts.
How many people does the Fw 190 carry?
Typical configuration: Single pilot.
How far can the Fw 190 fly?
Range is about 450 nmi.
How big is the Fw 190?
It is 29 ft 5 in long and 34 ft 5 in across the wings.
When did the Fw 190 first fly?
Its first flight was in 1939.
How many Fw 190s have been built?
20,000+ built.
How rare is a Fw 190 in Bogey?
RARE. A good day. Most spotters go weeks between sightings of something this rare. Your first Fw 190 catch is worth 250 points.
