Fw-189 NJG100 (W7+CB) Greifswald 1945 00
Profile 00: This profile is of a Luftwaffe Aufklärer Focke-Wulf Fw-189A-1 Uhu (Owl) operated by Stab/Nachtjagdgeschwader 100 and pressed into service as a nightfighter, this Fw-189 (fitted with Schrage Musik upward-firing cannon) flew from Greifswald in February 1945.

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

Asisbiz Free Virtual High Resolution Images for Screensavers and Wallpaper:

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
Utilities Compare 2 Aircraft | Compare 4 Aircraft | Conversion Calculators
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.

Additional Web References: