Focke-Wulf Fw 44

Fw 44 Stieglitz

Picture - A Focke-Wulf Fw 44J in 2005.

Role: biplane trainer
National origin: Germany
Manufacturer: Focke-Wulf
First flight: Late summer 1932

The Focke-Wulf Fw 44 is a 1930s German two-seat biplane known as the Stieglitz ("Goldfinch"). It was produced by the Focke-Wulf company as a pilot training and sport flying aircraft. It was also eventually built under license in several other countries.

Design and development

The Fw 44 was designed as a biplane with conventional layout and straight, non-tapered wings. Its two open cockpits were arranged in tandem, and both cockpits were equipped with flight controls and instruments. The Fw 44 had fixed tailwheel landing gear. It employed ailerons on both upper and lower wings. It did not use flaps. It was flown with a Siemens-Halske Sh 14 radial engine.

The first prototype flew in 1932. After many tests and modifications to increase the plane's durability and aerodynamics, the final Fw 44 proved to have excellent airworthiness.

A second version of the Fw 44 was the Fw 44B, which had an Argus As 8 four-cylinder inverted inline air-cooled engine of 90 kW (120 hp). The cowling for this engine gave the plane a more slender, aerodynamic nose.

20 Fw 44s purchased by China were modified for combat missions and participated in the early stage of the Second Sino-Japanese War until all were lost in action.

The last series version was Fw 44J, which was sold or built on license in several countries around the world. It ws equipped with a seven-cylinder Siemens-Halske Sh 14 radial engine.

Variants

Picture - FW44J G-STIG at Old Warden 2008

Fw 44B Fw 44C Fw 44D Fw 44E Fw 44F Fw 44J

Specifications (Fw 44)

Data from Holmes, 2005. p. 79.

General characteristics

Crew: two, student and instructor
Length: 7.30 m (23 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 9.0 m (29 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.80 m (9 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 20 m² (215.2 ft²)
Empty weight: 565 kg (1,243 lb)
Loaded weight: 770 kg (1,694 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 785 kg (1,727 lb)
Powerplant: 1x— Siemens Sh 14 A-4 7-cylinder radial engine, 118 kW at 2,100 rpm (160 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 185 km/h (115 mi)
Range: 550 km (340 mi)
Service ceiling: 3,900 m (12,790 ft)
Rate of climb: 17 m/s (56 ft/s)

Bibliography

Holmes, Tony (2005). Jane's Vintage Aircraft Recognition Guide. London: Harper Collins. ISBN 0 0071 9292 4.

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Source: WikiPedia