Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8
Focke-Wulf · DE · first flew 1944 · fighter
The A-8 was the most-produced Fw 190 variant, featuring MW-50 water-methanol injection and standardised heavy armament; the 'Sturmbock' R8 sub-variant added extreme firepower for B-17 interception.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.95 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Bulged inner-wing gun bays housing the MG 151/20 cannon — visible as raised fairings on the upper wing between root and wheel bay
- MW-50 methanol-water injection system; external ETC 501 centreline rack standard
- R8 Sturmbock variant had additional 30 mm MK 108 in outer wings and 5 mm belly armour — visibly heavier, blunter outer wing profile
The gun-bay bulges on the upper inner wing are the most accessible field mark against earlier A-variants. On Sturmbock R8s, the outer wing gondola cannon housings are obvious. The A-8 is otherwise very similar in silhouette to the A-5 — nose length is the same; the internal engine mount changes are not visible externally.
Specifications
- The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8 has a length of 8.95 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.51 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 656 km/h (408 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Over 6,000 A-8s built from February 1944 to war's end, making it the dominant Fw 190 mark. Used extensively in the Defence of the Reich against USAAF bomber streams, and in ground support on all fronts.
Variants
A-8/R2 (MK 108 outer-wing cannon), A-8/R8 Sturmbock (armoured, 30 mm guns), A-8/U1 (two-seat trainer conversion).
Where you'll see it
Luftwaffe 1944-45. The A-8 is the most common Fw 190 in museum collections worldwide. Several airworthy examples fly on the warshow circuit, including at Duxford (UK) and in the United States.
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