Focke-Wulf Fw 56 Stösser

Focke-Wulf · Germany · first flew 1933 · light aircraft

The Focke-Wulf Fw 56 Stösser (Falcon) was a parasol-wing advanced trainer and light fighter used by the Luftwaffe in the 1930s. Kurt Tank flew it extensively during development, and it was used to train pilots transitioning to front-line fighters.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	7.6 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Parasol-wing monoplane advanced trainer
Single inline engine, fixed undercarriage with streamlined spats
Tandem open cockpits under a continuous fairing

Distinctive parasol-wing layout with the monoplane wing mounted on struts above the fuselage, giving it a mid-way appearance between a high-wing and biplane — unusual among 1930s trainers.

Specifications

The Focke-Wulf Fw 56 Stösser has a length of 7.6 m (25 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.5 m (34 ft).
Its maximum speed is 278 km/h (173 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in 1933, the Fw 56 was selected over competing designs for Luftwaffe advanced training duties. It was exported to Austria and Hungary and remained in service well into the war years as a second-line trainer. The type's lively handling made it an effective stepping stone to fighters like the Bf 109.

Variants

The Fw 56A-1 was the principal production variant; small numbers of the Fw 56B with minor modifications were also built.

Where you'll see it

Primarily operated by the Luftwaffe as an advanced trainer; exported to Austria and Hungary, where it served with national air forces.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.