Fw-189 (H)32.1 (V7+1E) Kemi 1942 00
Profile 00: This profile shows a Focke-Wulf Fw-189A-2 Uhu (Owl) operated by 1.Aufklärungsstaffel (Heeres)/32 and used a brown and green splinter camouflage more common over the forested terrain of the northern sector of the Eastern Front, this particular operated out of a base at Kemi in Finland.

Fw-189 (H)32.1 (V7+1E) Finland 1942 01
Photo 01: This airborne photograph taken near Petsamo in early 1943 shows a Focke-Wulf Fw-189A-2 Uhu (Owl), coded V7+1E of the 1.(H)/32, displays a consistently applied pale grey or white scribble pattern over its normal 70/71 segmented upper camouflage. In the case of Fw-189s finished in this scheme, the pattern was originally thought to have been applied at unit level, but according to surviving Czech records from the Aero factory in Prague, it 'was factory applied. Interestingly, AufklGr. 32 used a unique unit code system for its aircraft with the third figure of the code being a number identifying the Staffel and the fourth, a letter, being the individual aircraft letter. Thus V7+1E identifies this aircraft as being aircraft 'E' of the 1.(H)/32.

Skins Compatibility: IL2 Sturmovik Forgotten Battles (FB), Ace Expansion Pack (AEP), Pacific Fighters (PF), 1946, Storm of War (SW).

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History
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 it's 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.

Specifications StatsCentral
Model Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu (Owl)
Length 39.47 ft | 12.03 m
Width 60.37 ft | 18.40 m
Height 10.17 ft | 3.10 m
Engine(s) 2 x Argus As 410A-1 12-cylinder engine generating 465hp each.
Empty Weight 0 lbs | 0 kg
MTOW 9,193 lbs | 4,170 kg
Max Speed 217 mph | 350 km/h | 189 kts
Max Range416 miles | 670 km
Ceiling 23,950 ft | 7,300 m | 4.5 miles
Climb Rate Not Available
Hardpoints 2
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.
Accommodations 3
Operators Nazi Germany
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Major Variants
• 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.

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