FW-190 F-8 How Good Was It?

[Commissar D, the Evil]

Hi Guys, a novice question from a novice, but interested, reader about the Luftwaffe. How did the FW-190 F-8 fare in it's ground attack and fighter roles? Could it hold its own against the sophisticated Western and Soviet types flying by the end of the war or was it a suicide mission to fly this plane in 1945? Any opinion is welcome and I apologize in advance for the vagueness of the question. Best Regards, David

[Wurger]

The FW-190F-8 ground attack aircraft was essentially the same as the regular FW-190A-8 fighter except that is had its outboard cannon removed and a fuselage rack for bombs installed. In addition to these standard features, the FW-190F-8 was tested with an impressive number of optional weapons - cannon, rockets, etc. The FW-190F-8 was also fitted with an advanced weapon control system for the release of it's payload. Although the plane was slowed while loaded with these munitions, once they were dropped the FW-190F's performance was comparable to that of the FW-190A fighter.

To answer your question about the aircraft's survivability, on has to keep in mind that by 1944-45 there was a desperate shortage of adequately trained pilots. In the hands of an experienced pilot who could put the plane's advantages to use, the FW-190F-8 could hold its own against most Allied fighters. However, more often than not, novice pilots were sent out on missions in these machines. Facing well-trained American, British, and Soviet pilots they had to learn how to use their aircraft's strengths quickly or perish.

Regards,

Wurger

[Erich]

David :

The F-8 was usually fitted with a blown canopy and sometimes on pilot disgression the wooden propellar for more power. It also could be fitted with an extra two 2cm outboard weapons for pilots of the Schlachtgeschwader doing hig escort duties, especially when called onto providing cover for the Ju 87G's of the Panzerstaffels.

Cheers

E

[Douglas Aguiar]

Hi,

The greatest advantage of the Fw190 F8 version was its good resistence to support damages caused by the anti-aircraft fire. Remember that its radial engine was more reliable during low level attacks.

Besides that, there were a lot of ground attack aces that won the Ritterkreuz while fling the F-8. Hermann Büchner and August Lambert are two names that came to mind by now. The great Alfred Druschel (hold of the RK with Swords) also had good records while flying the F-8.

Regards,

Douglas.

[Erich]

The point you make of armor is a good one. 30mm armored glass on the side of the forward windscreen, 5mm side plates similiar to the Sturmgruppen model..... 5 mm plate underneath the fuselage to the back of the self sealing tanks whcih were surrounded with an additional 8mm plate. The forward underneath engine colwling also had a 6mm plate as well and an armored motor ring just like the A-8/R-2 and R-8 Sturmjägern.

E