Focke-Wulf Fw 44
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The Focke-Wulf Fw 44 is a 1930s German two-seater biplane aircraft known as the Stieglitz (Goldfinch). It was produced by the Focke-Wulf company as a two-seat civilian airplane for pilot training and sport flying. It was also eventually built under license in several other countries.
[edit] 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 had fixed tailwheel landing gear. It employed ailerons on both upper and lower wings. It did not use flaps.
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. It was flown with a radial engine.
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 120 horsepower (90 kW). The cowling for this engine gave the plane a more slender, aerodynamic nose.
Twenty 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 is equipped with a 7-cylinder radial engine.
[edit] Variants
- Fw 44B
- Fw 44C
- Fw 44D
- Fw 44E
- Fw 44F
- Fw 44J
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (Fw 44)
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.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: 1× 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)
[edit] References
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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