Fw 200.. What the !@#@! is it??

[LLv34_Snefens]

I say we instead of getting the Fw-200C when time comes should get the Ju-290A:

 

Junkers Ju 290A-7 of studmuffinr 5, Mont de Marsan, France, 1944.

Although it resembles the Fw200 much with its dolphin-like nose and 4 engines it is not a development from it. Apparent visual differences are the twin tail fins and the smaller belly bulge.

The specifications for the reconnaisance bomber version (A-7):

Type: Long-range maritime reconaissance bomber
           
Powerplant Four 1,700-hp BMW 801D 14-cylinder radial piston engines.

Dimensions:
Wing span: 42.00m (137ft 9.5in)
Length: 29.15m (95ft 7.75in)
Height: 6.83m (22ft 4.75in)
Wing Surface Area: 203.60 Sq.m. (2,191.60 Sq. Ft.)

Weights:
Empty: 33,005kg (72,764 lbs.)
Max Loaded: 46,000kg (101,413 lbs.)

Performance:
Maximum Speed: 440 kph (273 mph) at 5800 m (19,030ft)
           
Cruising Speed: 355 kph (220 mph)

Range: 6,090 km (3,784 miles)

Service Ceiling: 6000m (19,685 ft)

Armament:
Forward Dorsal Turret: One 20mm MG 151/20.
Rear Dorsal Turret: One 20mm MG 151/20.
Ventral Gondola, forward: One 20mm MG 151/20.
Ventral Gondola, rear: One 13mm MG 131.
Nose/cockpit: One 13mm MG 131.
Lateral positions: Both one 20mm MG 151/20.
Tail: one 20mm MG 151/20.

Load: 3000 kg (6,614 lb) or three Henschel 293, 294 or FX-1400 Fritz-X missiles

Avionics: Fug 200 Hohentwiel Search Radar and FuG 203b Kehl missile equipment.

Production:
1 prototype
2 Ju 290A-0
5 Ju 290A-1 (Transport. Two were used at Stalingrad)
3 Ju 290A-2 (reconnaisance bomber)
3 Ju 290A-3 (A2 with new engines, BMW801)
5 Ju 290A-4 (revised gun turrets)
29 Ju 290A-5 (Increased armor protection, improved defensive armament)
1 Ju 290A-6 (50 Seat transport intended for Hitler)
12 Ju 290A-7 (missile capability added)
2 Ju 290A-8 (A7 with minor changes)
3 Ju 290A-9 (long range reconnaisance with added fuel)
1 Ju 290B (High alt version)

Total: 67

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"Head-ons are for pilots that don't know what their next move should be"

Ltn. Snefens
RO, Lentolaivue 34

[Toad]

Gentlemen, he must be pretty busy right now or he'd have already cleared this issue up for you but I'm sure Nath-BDP will soon drop in and explain things.

For now, rest assured that he will be able to show you that this aircraft was one of the finest examples of design, engineering, manufacture ever to grace the skies of the globe. No other country or manufacturer ever came close to the excellence inherent in this 4-engined beauty.

It is, after all, a German product!

 

[Kieren]

As odd as this sounds, I think I like the idea of a Ju 290 more than an He 177. Somehow, with all that firepower bristling from every orifice I think the Ju would be more likely to get to target.  

[RAM]

Well kieren...maybe,but a 60-production run aircraft would hear a lot of cries here about it being modelled.

And He177's speed doesnt hurt, either  

[Fishu]

Ram,

Remember that we are getting Ostwind, with lesser numbers  

[Kieren]

You're right, Ram. Still, you have a plane about the same size and speed as a B-17 (with more firepower), the ceiling of the Lancaster, and the load of a B-26.

And I wouldn't cry about the low production run.  

[Westy]

 The Condor comes in a close second to the "Connie" in the looks category. Imo the "Connie" is THE aircraft with the most graceful design and style ever made. A veritable Duesenburg of the air    I'ld LOVE to see the Condor added. The Connie too, someday. A little side note: the Connie was a spinoff of the XB-30 design which was to be  a competitor for the B-29 bomber. Here's an 8th AAF C-69 Constellations:

 

 -Westy

[fire_ant]

Did this Ju 290 actually ever see combat?  If so, do you know where and how it fared?  My hat is off to you I thought I'd heard of every single plane ever built in WW II.  This one is a new one on me and it's a bastard of an airplane!  
Maybe it had a small produciton run but consider this.  In the main arena, unlike actual history, there is no built in assumption that the axis forces are on the ropes and are essentially conducting only defensive operations.  In the bishop, rook and knight countries, both offensive and defensive opps take place.  Therefore it would be nice to model a few axis built heavy bombers (though I'm no fan of the he 177, it probably should be put in eventually) and this one is really formidable.  I would reccomend modeling it, along with some of the italian heavy bombers for earlier war heavy strikes, such as the Cant Z.1007 Alcione (3 engine heavy bomber) The Sm. 79 (three engine medium bomber / torpedo bomber) and especially the Piaggio P.108 (4 engine heavy bomber - 8 12.7mm mg's, 7,716 lb bomb load or 3 (!!) torpedoes)

DB

[LLv34_Snefens]

 http://uboat.net/technical/ju290.htm  http://canopus.lpi.msk.su/~watson/ju290.html

Here's some links. Especially the first seem quite good. I found out the pic I showed was not an A-7, but an A-5. A-7 looks like this.

 

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"Head-ons are for pilots that don't know what their next move should be"

Ltn. Snefens
RO, Lentolaivue 34

[Westy]

 I know it was used quite alot the last 6 mos of the war anyway by the LW "special missions" group KG-200. It's range and load were suited perfect for thier clandestine and resupply missions. The Ju-290 would make an awesome and valid addition to AH.

-Westy