Fw 190 A-1

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Fw 190 A-1
fw-190a-1.png
Fw 190 A-1
AB RB SB
3.7 3.0 3.3
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This page is about the German fighter Fw 190 A-1. For other versions, see Fw 190 (Family).

Description

GarageImage Fw 190 A-1.jpg


The Fw 190 A-1 is a rank II German fighter with a battle rating of 3.7 (AB), 3.0 (RB), and 3.3 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.39. The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger (Shrike) was a single-seat, single-engine monoplane fighter used by the Luftwaffe in WWII. One of the best fighters of the time, it was widely used during the Second World War. A total of over 20,000 were produced, including some 6,000 fighter-bomber variants. The 190 remained in production from 1941 until the end of the war, going through multiple redesigns. The Fw 190 made a name for itself as a true Luftwaffe workhorse and was used in a wide variety of roles, including a high-altitude interceptor (especially the Fw 190 D), escort fighter, fighter-bomber and night fighter.

"Würger" is the German nickname of this beast of a plane. It can be translated as slayer, choker, or strangler. In that regard fits the English designation well too: "Butcher-bird"

The Fw 190A-1, as all the planes in this line, are some of the best Boom and Zoomers in the game and should be flown exclusively in this style. The performance at high speeds is excellent, as is their dive and zoom characteristics. Do not ever engage in a turn fight as a "furball" with superior turners such as the A6M2 will end badly. Instead fight mainly in the vertical. Try to have an altitude, or speed advantage over your opponents (by climbing to the side at the start of the battle and then enter the highest battle you see). It is still possible to subdue your opponent with the A-1 due to the fantastic roll rate of the "Würger".

Unlike the later 190 line (A-8 and up), the A-1 through A-5 all possess higher turn capabilities than the rest of the line. The A-1 can, in general, out turn less manoeuvrable planes such as the LaGG-3. Still, it is not recommended to out-turn, as the A-1 will be placed with many higher-manoeuvring fighters.

General info

Flight performance

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 5,500 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 629 615 13228 21.3 22.1 10.9 10.9 450
Upgraded 676 652 19.2 20.2 17.9 14.1

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
0 310 N/A 700 310 ~14 ~7
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 420 < 240 < 550 > 280
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
468 m 1,512 hp 1,633 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
4,283 m 1,468 hp 1,585 hp

Survivability and armour

  • 57 mm Bulletproof glass in front of pilot.
  • 8 & 12 mm Steel plates on pilot's seat.
  • 3 & 5 mm Steel plates in front of oil cooling system.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The Fw 190 A-1 is armed with:

  • 2 x 20 mm MG FF/M cannons, wing-mounted (60 rpg = 120 total)
  • 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, nose-mounted (900 rpg = 1,800 total)
  • 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, wing-mounted (1,000 rpg = 2,000 total)

Usage in battles

Unlike the He 112 B-0 with 2 x MG FF cannons, the Fw 190 has 2 x MG FF/M cannons, which are identical except for the re-engineered shells and barrel for the MG FF/M. The "M" variant has access to the deadly minengeschoß (lit. Mineshells) that can wreak havoc on most planes at the rank. However, keep in mind the brutally low velocity of the MG FF/M shells. Optimal result of can be obtained when within 400 m of your opponent.

The MG 17 LMGs are not effective against most planes; however, when equipped with Stealth belts these MGs can turn into powerful anti-ground destroyers. Armoured cars and AAA are great targets for the MGs. Maintain speed when ground-pounding, however, as an enemy fighter can blow you out of the air if you have no energy.

Tactics

Watch your ammo count! Like the Spitfire Mk IIb, the Fw 190 A-1 has only 60 rpg. The lower fire rate of the MG FF/M cannons can work in your favour, however. When playing in Arcade, you can go bomber hunting, as the minengeschoß will make short work of the bombers. As you can reload while in the air, bomber hunting is a great tactic.

In the defensive, you can often just dive away from planes, such as Spitfires and La-5s, but you need to be at a decent altitude to gain top speed, so do not be to quick to dive after an enemy, if they fly below your plane. Unless you are higher then everybody else, or alone. Just be sure then to have the time to regain the lost altitude.

In a dive the 190 can, due its short wings, pull quite some stunts to either lose the hunter, or even make him loose his own wings!

Sharp rolling scissors can be effective. This is favourable strategy against La-5s, Yaks & Spitfires who have due their low wingloading (and partly wooden wings for the Russians), less resistance against high G manoeuvres. Again be sure to regain your energy by a zoom-climb. Just look out while doing so, many pilots die as they do not notice a second enemy aircraft approaching. German proverb:"Wenn Zwei sich streiten, freut sich der Dritte." ~ "When two quarrel, the third will reap the success." Of course this could also be you.

Specific enemies worth noting

When flying this plane, a common foe will be Spitfires due to the fact that they can climb higher than you and also out turn you by a significant margin. However, as they have weaker wings, a dive with rolls to change direction will send them crashing to their deaths.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Not controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Not controllable
Not auto controlled
Not controllable
Not auto controlled
Combined Not controllable
2 gears
Not controllable

Modules

Tier Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
I Fuselage repair Radiator Offensive 7 mm
II Compressor Airframe New 7 mm MGs
III Wings repair Engine Offensive 20 mm
IV Engine injection Cover New 20 mm cannons

While the Focke Wulf retains it dive abilities even without all upgrades, getting to a vantage point to utilize these strength can prove difficult. Therefore unlocks in the category "flight performance" are a must, especially those which grant increased climb rate (e.g. Engine, Compressor, Engine Injection). New 20 mm belts are also a good choice, as the "Air targets" belt improves the damage significantly. The 20 mm cannon upgrade is hardly worth though, it tends to run out of ammo before it can overheat. Different story for the 7 mm LMGs though. They should be a tertiary priority.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Plenty of LMG ammo
  • Great top speed
  • Great energy retention & zoom-climbs
  • Great high-speed manoeuvrability
  • Great roll rate
  • Decent steady climb rate
  • One of the more agile 190s
  • Cannons are more than enough against all fighters given Air targets belts

Cons:

  • Low ammo for cannons
  • No external payloads for use against ground forces
  • MG FF/M inferior to MG 151/20
  • Less durable than later Fw 190s

History

Design

The Focke Wulf Fw 190 was a highly advanced aircraft for its time and was given the nickname ‘Würger’ (Shrike), it was nicknamed "The Butcher Bird" because of its killing ability. The aircraft had speed and durability as its main strengths. The aircraft was all metal with a stressed all-duralumin skin.

Development

The Fw 190 was conceived in 1937 , the first prototype flew in June 1939. The undercarriage was wide-tracked, which gave the Fw 190 much greater stability compared to the Bf 109 and allowed it to take off and land on runways that other German fighters such as the Bf 109 found difficult. The first tests of the aircraft were in 1940 and few problems were discovered. Focke-Wulf completed 102 190 A-1s at the Bremen and Marienburg factories between June and October 1941. The previous A-0 was a production test run and saw no front-line fighting.

Combat usage

The A-1 series was the first of the Fw 190s to be used in active combat sorties. It first went into battle in the summer of 1941. The first combat model had a top speed of 388 mph from its 1600 hp engine. The first record of combat was with Spitfires in June 1941 where the Fw 190 performed well though the pilots complained of a lack of firepower. This criticism led to the Mk II version, which had two wing-mounted synchronised 20 mm cannons and two MG 17 guns. The Mk II version had a top speed of 382 mph. This armament and speed made it a match for the Mk V Spitfire that was in service then.

Over the channel and after the battle of Britain, the Luftwaffe faced harassment in form of "Circus Operations". Continuous attacks by daylight bombers (Bristol Blenheim), heavily guarded by fighter squadrons flying Spitfire V. These were not strategical, or even tactical assaults, but distractions, to keep German forces bound to the Western front, giving the Eastern front a little more freedom. They were however ineffective and required only little countermeasures.

The same tactics used by the British six months earlier were now adopted by the Germans.

One of these squadrons facing this flying circus was JagdGeschwader 26 equipped with Bf 109 F-4 and the new Fw 190 A-1.

In July 1941, parts of JG26 were moved to Le Bourget. Here they were the first to be trained on the Focke Wulf 190 A-1. Following August, the 6. squadron of Gruppe II was equipped entirely with the new fighter and until September the entire group was refitted. Still Bf 109F-4 remained in service with them and ultimately the Messerschmitt would stick as the units fighter type. They remained at the channel coast until the end of year. With 79 aerial victories, but only 24 total losses, the Fw 190 gained its first prestige.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

External links


Focke-Wulf Aircraft Corporation (Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau Aktiengesellschaft)
Fighters  Fw 190 A-1 · Fw 190 A-4 · Fw 190 A-5 · Fw 190 A-5/U2 · Fw 190 A-5/U12 · Fw 190 A-5/U14 · Fw 190 A-8
  Fw 190 C
  Fw 190 D-9 · Fw 190 D-12 · Fw 190 D-13
  Fw 190 F-8
  Ta 152 C-3* · Ta 152 H-1* · Ta 154 A-1*
Bombers  Fw 189 A-1 · Fw 200 C-1
Export  ▅Fw 190 A-5
Captured  ▃Fw 190 A-8 · ▂Fw 190 D-9
  * In 1944, the Germany Air Ministry changed new fighter aircraft designation to that of the chief designer. Kurt Tank was the chief designer at Focke-Wulf and later aircraft he designed were given the prefix of Ta.

Germany fighters
Heinkel 
He 51  He 51 A-1 · He 51 B-1 · He 51 B-2/H · He 51 C-1 · He 51 C-1/L
He 100  He 100 D-1
He 112  He 112 A-0 · He 112 B-0 · He 112 B-1/U2 · He 112 B-2/U2 · He 112 V-5
Messerschmitt 
Bf 109 (Jumo)  Flegel's Bf 109 A · Bf 109 B-1 · Bf 109 C-1
Bf 109 (DB-601)  Bf 109 E-1 · Bf 109 E-3 · Bf 109 E-4 · Bf 109 E-7/U2 · Bf 109 F-1 · Bf 109 F-2 · Bf 109 F-4 · Bf 109 F-4/trop
Bf 109 (DB-605)  Bf 109 G-2/trop · Bf 109 G-2 · Bf 109 G-6 · Bf 109 G-10 · Bf 109 G-14 · Bf 109 K-4
Focke-Wulf 
Fw 190 (early)  Fw 190 A-1 · Fw 190 A-4 · Fw 190 A-5 · Fw 190 A-5 · Fw 190 A-5/U2 · Fw 190 A-5/U14 · Fw 190 A-8 · Fw 190 C
Fw 190 (late)  Fw 190 D-9 · Fw 190 D-12 · Fw 190 D-13
Ta 152  Ta 152 C-3 · Ta 152 H-1
Blohm & Voss 
BV 155  BV 155 B-1
  Foreign:
USA  ▀P-47D-16-RE · ▀P-47D
USSR  ▀La-5FN · ▀Yak-1B
Britain  ▀Tempest Mk V
Italy  ▀CR.42 · ▀Marcolin's C.R.42 CN · ▀G.50 serie 2 · ▀G.50 AS serie 7 · ▀C. 200 serie 3 · ▀C. 200 serie 7 · ▀C. 202
Finland  ▀Hawk H-75A-2