Focke-Wulf Fw 62

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Focke-Wulf Fw 62
Focke-Wulf Fw 62.jpg
Role reconnaissance floatplane
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Focke-Wulf
Designer Erich Arbeitlang
First flight 23 October 1937
Number built 4

The Focke-Wulf Fw 62 was a reconnaissance floatplane designed and built by Focke-Wulf for use by Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine. Only four were built.

Development

In 1936 the RLM, the German ministry of aviation, formulated a requirement for a shipboard seaplane for reconnaissance missions, to replace the Heinkel He 114. The aircraft was to be light, with a maximum weight of 2.5 tons and a crew of one or two, and suitable for catapult launching. Equipment and armament were to be kept to a minimum.[1]

Focke-Wulf competed with the Fw 62, a conventional biplane design. The Fw 62 was of mixed construction and powered by a 705 kW (945 hp) BMW 132K radial engine. The engine was tightly cowled and drove a two-bladed propeller. The biplane wings were of equal span and featured two N-type struts on each side. They could be folded for shipboard storage. Every wing had a plain flap and an aileron.

The first prototype was flown on 23 October 1937. The first and second prototype had twin floats, while the third and fourth had a large central float and smaller outboard stabilizing floats. Official tests began in Travemünde in January 1938. The Fw 62 was a capable aircraft and well liked by the test pilots, but the competing Arado Ar 196 monoplane was both conceptually and structurally much more modern, and was chosen for production.[2]

The Fw 62 prototypes were evaluated for a while longer, mainly because the sprung attachment of the floats, to reduce stress loads on landing, was of interest.

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 11.15 m (36.6 ft)
  • Wingspan: 12.35 m (40.5 ft)
  • Height: 4.30 m (14.1 ft)
  • Wing area: 36.10 sq. m (388.6 sq. ft)
  • Empty weight: 2,158 kg (4,760 lb)
  • Loaded weight: 2,875 kg (6,340 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × BMW 132Dc, 656 kW (945 hp)

Performance

Armament

1 x 7.92 mm MG 15 machine gun in rear cockpit, 4 x 50 kg (110 lb) SC 50 bombs.

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References

  1. Becker, Hans-Jurgen: Wasserflugzeuge - Flugboote, Amphibien, Schwimmerflugzeuge. Bernard & Graefe Verlag, Germany, 1994.
  2. Wadman, David; Bradley, John; and Ketley, Barry: Aufklärer - Luftwaffe Reconnaissance Aircraft & Units 1935-1945, Hikoki Publications, UK 1997.

External links