The Focke-Wulf Fw 187 'Falke' was a heavy fighter designed and developed for the Luftwaffe right before World War II. Although it was a relatively fast aircraft, it never entered mass production, since it could not compete with the Messerschmitt Bf 110, which was sturdier and more reliable.
The first prototype, the Fw 187-V1, made its maiden flight in the Spring of 1937, flown by Captain Hans Sander. Meanwhile the second prototype, the V2, flew in July 1937. Despite the fact it was only built in limited number to carry out test flights, three Focke-Wulf Fw 187A-0 pre-production example aircraft unofficially served with a Luftwaffe squadron in 1940, in Norway, with the 13. Zerstorer Staffel of JG 77.
Technical Characteristics
The Focke-Wulf Fw 187 was a two-seat, two-engine monoplane. Its straight wings were mounted low on the fuselage, which was all metal, but exceptionally slim. The cockpit was so small and cramped, that some instruments had to be set up on the inboard sections of the engine cowlings where they could be seen by the pilot. The aircraft was powered by two Junkers Jumo 210Ga, 12-cylinder, inverted "V" piston engines, which put out 700 HP each.
Specifications
Type: two-seat day heavy fighter
Length: 11.10 m (36 ft, 5 in)
Wingspan: 15. 30 m (50 ft, 2 in)
Wing Area: 30.40 sq. meters (327.23 sq. ft)
Height: 3.85 m (12 ft, 7 in)
Maximum Speed: 529 km/h (329 mph)
Range: 1,100 km
Armament: four 7.92mm MG-17 machine guns; two 20mm MG-FF cannons.
Below, the Focke-Wulf Fw 187
