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Focke Wulf Fw 159
The Focke-Wulf Fw 159 was an experimental German fighter aircraft of the 1930s that never reached production. The Focke-Wulf company designed the aircraft as one of the four entries for the “Armed Aircraft IV” (Rüstungsflugzeug IV) 1934 fighter competition. Its parasol wing configuration was based on the company's successful trainer product, the Focke-Wulf Fw 56 "Stösser" and it used a Junkers Jumo 210 engine. The plane had a retractable undercarriage and an enclosed cockpit, although the undercarriage mechanism was very complicated proved troublesome.

Focke Wulf Fw 159
The first prototype, FW-159 V-1 was ready in the spring of 1935, but was destroyed when it crash landed following the failure of the undercarriage to deploy properly.

The second prototype V-2 had reinforced undercarriage. The flight characteristics were good but the rate of climb and rate of turn was unsatisfactory, and the aircraft suffered greater drag than its competitors in the contest (which were Arado Ar 80, the Heinkel He 112 and the Messerschmitt Bf 109). The competition was won by the Messerschmitt Bf 109.

Type: Fighter
Origin: Focke Wulf Flugzeugbau GmbH
Crew: One
Models: Fw 159V1, V2 and V3
First Flight: May 1935
Service Delivery: None
Final Delivery: Prototypes only
Total Production: 3

Powerplant:
Fw 159V-1:
  Model: Junkers Jumo 610A
  Type: 12-Cylinder inverted vee
  Numer: One    HP: 610 hp

Fw 159V-2 and V-3:
  Model: Junkers Jumo 210Da or 210G
  Type: 12-Cylinder inverted vee
  Numer: One    HP: 680 or 730 hp
Dimensions:
Wing span: 40 ft. 8 in. (12.40m)
Length: 32 ft. 9½ in. (9.77m)
Height: 12 ft. 3½ in. (3.75m)
Wing Surface Area: N/A

Weights: Fw 159V-2
Empty: 4,134 lbs. (1875 kg.)
Maximum: 4,960 lbs. (2250 kg.)

Performance:
Maximum Speed:
 Fw 159V-2: 239 mph (385 kph)
 Fw 159V-3 with Jumo 210G: 252 mph (405 kph)
Service Ceiling: N/A
Range: 404 miles (650 km)


Armament:
Two synchronized 7.92mm MG 17 above engines.
Focke Wulf Fw 159

Focke Wulf Fw 159

Sources:
Gunston, Bill & Wood, Tony - Hitler's Luftwaffe, 1977, Salamander Books Ltd., London

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