Focke-Wulf Fw 62

Focke-Wulf · Germany · first flew 1937 · fighter

The Focke-Wulf Fw 62 was a German two-seat biplane floatplane designed for catapult launching from warships. First flown in 1937, it was the last German biplane to enter naval service and served as a shipboard reconnaissance aircraft.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	11.15 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Last German biplane catapult seaplane for warships
Twin single-step main floats
Radial engine with prominent ring cowling

A biplane floatplane with equal-span wings, two parallel main floats, a radial engine with a large cowling, and an open rear cockpit — distinguishable from the succeeding Ar 196 monoplane by its biplane configuration.

Specifications

The Focke-Wulf Fw 62 has a length of 11.15 m (37 ft).
It has a wingspan of 12.35 m (41 ft).
Its maximum speed is 280 km/h (174 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

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

History

Developed to provide German cruisers and battleships with catapult-launched observation aircraft, the Fw 62 entered Kriegsmarine service in 1938. It was a conventional biplane with twin floats, competing against the Arado Ar 196 monoplane that ultimately replaced it. The Fw 62 served briefly aboard German capital ships before the Ar 196 rendered it obsolete.

Variants

Only the single main variant was produced; the Fw 62 was quickly superseded by the Arado Ar 196.

Where you'll see it

Operated from German cruisers and battleships in the late 1930s and briefly in the early war period before replacement by the Ar 196.

Related aircraft

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