Great to hear the 190 is on its way, BUT...

[Sascha JG 77]

...why start with the Panzerbock (A-8)?
As it is now, we don't see a lot of buffs in the air, and there are certainly other variants of the Würger like the A-4 or the A-6 that are better suited for action against other fighters.

Just a thought, call me an FW dweeb if you must...


Sascha

[funked]

Sascha remember one thing:

A-8 was the first model with the MW-50 system fitted.  This gave an extra 300 hp or so, and I've seen top speeds as high as 425mph for this version.

[Sascha JG 77]

Didn't the added wight (armor) eat up most of the additional power? From what I understand the A 4 or even the A 6 (the first to standardize on 4 MG 151/20 and 2 13 mm MGs) were better dogfighters than the hard hitting but heavy A8.

I also just bought a video on the FW 190 with interviews of german pilots and some of them stated that they installed MW 50 (or similar boosting devices) on earlier 190s.

Sascha JG 77 "Herz As!"

[This message has been edited by Sascha JG 77 (edited 10-11-1999).]

[Captain Krunch]

Without looking it up I'm remembering that ALL fw models had MW50.  I could be wrong but I'll look it up.

All 109G models had either MW50 or GM-1.

FW came out right around that time if I remember correctly.

[juzz]

I think from the A-4 on it was possible to fit MW 50, but it wasn't until the A-8 that it was actually fitted as standard.

[Jochen]

 

I think from the A-4 on it was possible to fit MW 50, but it wasn't until the A-8 that it was actually fitted as standard.

Yup, this was the case. BMW 801 in Fw 190A-4 had provision to accept MW 50 but it was used only after A-8 and later models.

In brand W A-8 has top speed several miles slower than of A-4 in all alts. Climb is bit poorer due weight and you don't even want to think about turn rate! Wells claimed that it had turn rate of more than 30% too slow, if I remember correctly.

A-4 is better fighter, only asset that A-8 has is better guns (MGFF's replaced by MG 151/20's on outer wing positions and cowl MG's are 13 mm instead of 7.92 mm) and maybe slightly better dive.

The problem with Fw 190 is that it is extremely lethal fighter for some period of time. Good pilots and Fw 190's could easily dominate the arena. There has been claims that in brand W Fw 190 was made bit harder to fly that it really was. I don't know if this is true, I certainly don't have data to back up those claims. It will be interesting to find out what kind of FM Fw 190 has in AH, I have been thinking about it since I first time heard about AH  

Oh, one thing. I would like to see a specific key for special boosts like US methanol injection and LW GM-1 and MW 50. If they are married with generic WEP, it just does not give you the warm fuzzy feeling when you engage it  

------------------
Oblt. jochen 'Stern von Afrika' 2./ Jagdgeschwader 27 'Afrika'

[Sascha JG 77]

 

There has been claims that in brand W Fw 190 was made bit harder to fly that it
                         really was.

I don't wanna start a flamewar here but it wouldn't surprise me, if this was true.

All the sources that were available to me until now (books, TV interviews, etc.) indicate that the 190 was very easy to fly.
Even after 50 years you could see the faces of those german pilots light up when they talked about the 190. Some quotes that I remember include "stable gunplatform", "highly maneuverable", "a joy to fly", "far superior to the 109 in almost all respects".

Like you said Jochen, I can't wait to see how AH models this fine bird. I don't expect too much of the A-8 though, cause with that kind of armour and armement it shouldn't be very nimble or easy to fly.

Sascha JG 77 "Herz As!"

[Kats]

Whatever the a8 might lose in manouverability due to the extra armour, it gains in speed. Also the roll rate won't be affected that much. I'm not sure how much the weight will affect it's turn rate considering the almost 400hp bonus. Regardless, turning's for dweebs  

PS jochen is right about the a4, it had no MW50 until the a8 series. The MW50 didn't show up on the 109G's until late 43 early 44 except for reccon a/c had them earlier. GM-1 boost was available earlier though, but there is a huge difference between the two systems.

Sacha is correct, FW's modelled correctly would dominate an arena except for one thing. The time line of AH is such that the Allies get their beef (P51's 47's, spit9's) just a sqeaker before the Axis get their's, notably the FW-Dora so it's basically a pretty good fight excpet for the 51's. They should be the plane of choice if performance points is the only thing your looking at.

[This message has been edited by Kats (edited 10-12-1999).]

[Werewolf]

If I take it by the books the Fw-190 A-8 had only one disandvantage on the 109-G. The climbrate over 5000 meters. Below 5000 meters the 109 was outclassed in maneuverability and performance. Over 7000 meters they turned equal but the 190 was easier in steering. At my opinion the brand W 190 has been castrated. The father of a good friend of mine has been a pilot in WWII and he told me that the books give us the correct information.

[funked]

I concur with the information that the A-4 had the first "MW-50-ready" engine (BMW 801D-2) and the A-8 was the first plane with the MW-50 tank, plumbing, and injection system installed at the factory.

To counteract the rearward CG shift caused when the tank was filled, the ETC-501 bomb rack was moved forward 20 cm.

Be aware that there is some false information going around which confuses the 118 litre MW-50/fuel tank with a GM-1 tank.  The 118 litre tank was installed in the rear fuselage of the Fw 190A-8 and was a liquid tank which was used for MW-50 or fuel.  Some sources say this tank was used for GM-1.  This is false - Nitrous Oxide is a pressurized gas and requires a much different tank than a liquid water-alcohol solution like MW-50.

I have no doubt that GM-1 was used on some Fw 190A's, but it could not have been stored in the 118 l tank.

Also I do not discount reports that MW-50 was used on Fw 190A-4, A-5, A-6, or A-7.  As long as the BMW 801D-2 (or later) engine was used, it was probably not too difficult to retrofit an MW-50 injection system in the field or when the aircraft was returned to the factory for modification or repair.