Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu

The Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu was a tactical reconnaissance aircraft used by Germany during World War II. It was an excellent military plane in all aspects, very maneuverable, versatile, and reliable, and it was liked by every Luftwaffe pilot that flew it. Designed in late 1937 by Kurt Tank, its first prototype, the V1, made its maiden flight in July 1938.

The Focke-Wulf engineers were delighted with its performance and they called it 'Eule' (Owl); however, the Luftwaffe would change its original nickname, calling it 'Uhu', which means eagle owl. Entering service in 1940, more than 800 aircraft in different versions would be produced until 1944. It would also carry out ground-attack missions to provide fire support to front-line troops.

Technical Characteristics

The Focke-Wulf Fw 189 was a three-seat, twin-engine monoplane. Like the American P-38 Lightning, it featured twin tail booms, with the cockpit lying in the middle, between the two booms and engines. Its wings were straight and were mounted low on the fuselage, which had an all-metal and stress-skin structure, with smooth flush-riveted exterior. The cockpit was fitted with a glazed central nacelle, with flat Plexiglas panels, with the pilot sitting well forward on the left.

The wings consisted of a rectangular center section and detachable panels bolted on outboard of the tail booms, tapering only on the leading edge. The booms were also all-metal, while the elevator and rudders were fabric-covered. The split trailing-edge flaps were electrically operated, while the ailerons, rudders and elevators were manually operated. It had retractable landing gear, with a H-shaped frame and twin shock-absorbers. The Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu was powered by two Argus As 410A-1, 12-cylinder, inverted 'V', piston engines, which delivered 465 HP each.

Specifications

Type: Reconnaissance and army cooperation aircraft

Crew: 3

Length: 12.03 m (39 ft, 5 in)

Wingspan: 18.40 m (60 ft, 4 in)

Wing Area: 38 sq. meters (409 sq. ft)

Height: 3.10 m (10 ft, 2 in)

Weight: 2,850 kg (empty)

Maximum Speed: 350 km/h (217 mph) at 2,400 m of altitude.

Range: 670 km (416 miles)

Armament: six 7.92-mm MG-17 machine guns, two in wing roots, two on flexible mounts in dorsal position, and the other two in powered cone turret. Four underwing racks for 50-kg bombs. The Focke-Wulf Fw 189A-4 variant also had two 20-mm cannons.

The Uhu flying in the skies over the Soviet Union in 1941.

Below, the first prototype, the V1, in 1938.

The Focke-Wulf Fw 189A-1, the first production version.