Germany's Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu (Eagle Owl), Fw 189 "Flying Eye", reconnaissance

Photos

Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu (Eagle Owl) reconnaissance:	Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu (Eagle Owl) reconnaissance:	Focke-Wulf Fw 189 reconnaissance: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook	Focke-Wulf Fw 189 reconnaissance: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook
Focke-Wulf Fw 189A Uhu (Eagle Owl) reconnaissance:	Focke-Wulf Fw 189A Uhu (Eagle Owl) reconnaissance:
Focke-Wulf Fw 189B Uhu (Eagle Owl) reconnaissance:
Focke-Wulf Fw 189C Uhu (Eagle Owl) reconnaissance:	Focke-Wulf Fw 189C Uhu (Eagle Owl) reconnaissance:
Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu (Eagle Owl) reconnaissance:	Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu (Eagle Owl) reconnaissance:

Design

Designed by Kurt Tank.¹ Design work started in early 1937.³

The cockpit was completely glassed in allowing for the best visibility for the pilot and observer.³

Undercarriage

The wheels were very tough allowing the Fw 189 to use rough air fields.¹ The wheels retracted into armored doors.¹

Wings / Tail

There were four ETC 50 racks that could carry anti-personnel bombs but were often empty.¹

The wings were very strong.¹ Flaps were electrically operated.¹ The Rudders, elevator, and ailerons were manual.¹

The twin booms and the full length elevator in the tail allowed for exceptional maneuverability.¹

Prototype

Kurt Tank flew the prototype in June 1938.¹
The first prototype flew in July 1938.^2,3

The media called it "The Flying Eye."^1,2

Production

Built at Focke-Wulf's Bremen factory, and in Czechoslovakia and France.¹

• Focke Wulf Fw 189V: 6²
• Focke Wulf Fw 189A-0: 10²
• Focke Wulf Fw 189A-1, Focke Wulf Fw 189A-2, Focke Wulf Fw 189A-3, Focke Wulf Fw 189A-4: 848²
• Focke Wulf Fw 189B: 13²
• Focke Wulf Fw 189F: 17²
• Focke Wulf Fw 189: 864³, 894²
  • Manufacturer: Focke Wulf Flugzeugbau GmbH³
  • Production: ? - 1944³

Variants

• Focke Wulf Fw 189:
• Focke Wulf Fw 189A-0: Pre production.²
• Focke Wulf Fw 189A-1: Production model.² Reconnaissance.²
• Focke Wulf Fw 189A-2: Dual control trainer.²
• Focke Wulf Fw 189A-3: Dual control trainer.²
• Focke Wulf Fw 189A-4: Tactical support.² Had 20 mm cannons in the wing roots replacing the MGs.²
• Focke Wulf Fw 189B: Five seat trainer.^1,2
• Focke Wulf Fw 189C: Experimental version with a heavily armored cabin to be used for close assault.¹ Only two crew.¹
• Focke Wulf Fw 189D: A trainer that had floats, but it was never flown.¹
• Focke Wulf Fw 189F: Built in France.² Had Argus AS 411 engine (580 HP).²
• Focke Wulf Fw 189 V4: Prototype that could spray mustard gas.¹

Usage

Used primarily for reconnaissance, but also used for casualty evacuation, night fighting, and ground support.¹

Entered service in late 1940.¹ A total of nine long range and 15 short range reconnaissance groups were formed.¹

Used by the Slovakian and Hungarian air forces.^1,2 Hungary received about 30 Fw 189A-2s.^2,3 Slovakia received 14 Fw 189A-1s.²

Specifications

	Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu	Focke-Wulf Fw 189A-1 Uhu	Focke-Wulf Fw 189A-2 Uhu
Type	Reconnaissance2,4, Close support2,4	Reconnaissance3	Reconnaissance1, Army cooperation1
Crew	32	33	31
Engine (Type)	2: Argus As 4104 2: Argus As 410A-12	2: Argus As 410 A-13	2: Argus As410A-1 piston1
Cylinders	Inverted V 122, Radial4	V 123	Inverted V-121
Cooling		Air3
Net HP	450 each4, 465 each2	465 each3	460 each1
Propeller blades	22
Dimensions
Span	60' 4.5"2, 60' 8"4 18.4 m2	60' 4"3	60' 4"1 18.4 m1
Length	39' 4"2, 39' 5"4 11.99 m2	39' 5"3	39' 5"1 12.03 m1
Height	10' 2"2 3.1 m2	10' 2"3	16' 2"1 3.1 m1
Wing area			409 ft2 1 38 m2 1
Weight
Empty		5,930 lb2 2,690 kg2
Loaded	7,500 lb4	8,708 lb2,3 3,950 kg2	9,174 lb1 4,170 kg1
Performance
Speed	200 mph4		217 mph1 350 kph1
Speed @ 7,875'		217 mph3
Speed @ 8,530' / 2,600 m		221 mph2 355 kph2
Cruising speed		197 mph2 317 kph2	189 mph1 305 kph1
Endurance			2 hours 10 minutes1
Climb		1,017'/minute2 310 m/minute2
Climb to 13,120' / 4,000 m		8.3 minutes2
Service ceiling		27,560'2, 29,950'3 8,400 m2	23,950'1 7,300 m1
Range		416 miles3, 416 - 584 miles2 670 - 940 km2	415 miles1 670 km1
Armament		4: MG3
Nacelle roof	1: MG4		2: 7.9 mm MG 811
Wing roots	2: MG4	2: 7.9 mm MG2	2: 7.9 mm MG 811,2
Dorsal, above navigator		1 or 2: 7.9 mm MG2	2: 7.9 mm MG 811 1 or 2: 7.9 mm MG2
Tail position	1: MG4	1 or 2: 7.9 mm MG2	1 or 2: 7.9 mm MG2
Bombs		4: 110 lb2 440 lb3 4: 50 kg2	4: 110 lb2 880 lb1 4: 50 kg2 400 kg1