Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu (Eagle-Owl)

History

The need for specialized reconnaissance platforms at the tactical and strategic level even before World War II (1939-1945) took hold in Europe It has been apparently the Luftwaffe. This prompted the Germans to use all types of aircraft for this role, including modified types. To replace the newly built fleet of Henschel Hs 126 high-wing aircraft, the Luftwaffe planned in 1937 a more advanced dedicated reconnaissance design, powered by a single engine, with a crew of three.

Both Arado and Focke-Wulf were responsible for the attack (three prototypes were ordered from each concern), and Focke-Wulf's submission outperformed the preferred single-engine Arado approach (the obsolete "Ar 198").

The design of the Fw 189 owes much to the excellent Fw 190 single-engine fighter and its high-altitude successor, the Ta 152's Engineer Kurt Tank. Tanks were also involved with many of the pre- and post-conflict jets.

To meet the 1937 requirement, he turned to a twin boom arrangement, which allowed the three crew members to be housed in the thick glass central section of the fuselage - providing the crew with excellent all-round visibility. Additionally, the dual-arm arrangement requires a dual-engine configuration, which adds cost and complexity, but improves performance.

Propulsion comes from 2 Argus As 410A-1 V12 inverted air-cooled piston engines, each producing 459 hp and driving a two-blade variable pitch propeller unit. This provides a top speed of 215 mph, with a cruising speed of nearly 197 mph. Range is 580 miles and service is capped at 23,000 feet.

As a tactical-grade reconnaissance platform, the aircraft is not expected to perform advanced missions that require various modifications such as turbos and superchargers. The rate of climb is useful at 1,018 feet per minute.

Its design was completely unique by 1930s standards: the aircraft was built around a central pod-style fuselage with a rather blunt front (no steps) and a tapered rear. It is located in the middle, spanned by the main aircraft element, and is characterized by a downward arrow along the leading edge and a straight line along the trailing edge. The tip is rounded. Each main aircraft is equipped with an Argus engine with a nacelle well beyond the leading edge of the wing.

Behind these installations is the beginning of the cantilever assembly, which tapers backwards and shares a common horizontal plane. This plane is lined with a small-area round tail.

Ground operation is achieved with a conventional rear tow landing gear that is fully retractable into the design.

While the aircraft was designed for reconnaissance missions, it required defensive weapons to survive. This came in the form of 2 x 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns mounted on fixed forward firing brackets at the root of the wing.

In the dorsal position is a 7.92mm MG-15 machine gun mounted on a flexible (trainable) mount that, if followed, can cover the rear upper quadrant of the aircraft. An optional accessory is another 7.92mm MG 15 machine gun that fires backwards from the rear of the fuselage to improve the crew's trail defense.

In some other forms, the bomb carrying capacity of the Fw 189 is limited to a 4 x 110 pound drop.

Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu (Uhu) Spec

Base

Year of Service

1940

Origins

Nazi Germany

Status

retirement

does not work.

Crew

3

Production

864

Manufacturer

Focke-Wulf - Nazi Germany

Operators

Bulgaria; Hungary; Nazi Germany; Norway (postwar); Slovakia

scrolling

air-to-air combat, fighter

The general ability to actively attack other aircraft of similar form and function, usually using guns, missiles and/or airborne missiles.

Ground attack (bombing, strafing)

The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

Disable support (CAS)

Designed to operate near active ground elements with a wide range of air-to-surface weapon and ammunition options.

VIP service

Used in the VIP (Very Important Person) passenger role, usually with above-average amenities and luxury as standard.

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), reconnaissance

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Education (General)

Develop the ability to become a dedicated student pilot instructor (usually under the supervision of an instructor).

Training (Advanced)

A special advanced training platform for student pilots after completing basic flight training.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

39. 0 feet

(11.90m)

Width/span

60.7 feet

(18.50m)

Height

10. 2 feet

(3.10m)

Cured weight

5,952 lbs

(2,700 kg)

MTOW

8,818 lbs

(4,000 kg)

Wgt Difference

+2,866 lbs

(+1,300 kg)

Performance

Installed:

2 x Argus As 410A-1 V12 465 hp inverted air-cooled piston engines, each driving a two-bladed propeller unit.

Maximum speed

214 km/h

(345 km/h | 186 knots)

Maximum

22,966 feet

(7,000 m | 4 km)

Area

584 km

(940 km | 1,741 nautical miles)

rate of climb

1,018 ft/min

(310 m/min)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Weapons

Standard: 2 x 7.92mm machine guns in fixed forward mounted wing roots (one shot at each root). 1 x 7.92mm inverted machine gun for flexible installation. Optional: 1 or 2 x 7.92mm machine guns at the tail cone. Maximum bomb load is up to 440 lbs.