Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: Germany
Type: Bomber Aircraft, Reconnaissance and Surveillance
Manufacturer: Focke-Wulf
Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor Aircraft Overview
The Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor was a German four-engine airliner and maritime patrol aircraft developed in the 1930s. It was designed to be a long-range aircraft that could operate over great distances and was used extensively during World War II by the Luftwaffe as a reconnaissance and anti-shipping aircraft.
The Fw 200 Condor was designed as a commercial airliner with a capacity of up to 26 passengers. However, it was quickly adapted for military use and was armed with machine guns and bombs for use against enemy ships and submarines. The aircraft had a range of up to 3,000 miles and could carry up to 2,000 pounds of bombs or torpedoes.
The Fw 200 Condor saw extensive use during World War II, primarily in the maritime patrol role. It was used to track and attack Allied convoys in the Atlantic and was also used to conduct long-range reconnaissance missions over the sea. Later in the war, the Fw 200 was also used as a transport aircraft, and was used to deliver supplies and personnel to German forces in North Africa.
The Fw 200 Condor was an important aircraft for the Luftwaffe during World War II, as it helped to extend the range of German air operations and was an effective weapon against Allied shipping. However, the aircraft suffered from a number of design flaws, including inadequate defensive armament and vulnerability to enemy fighters. Despite these shortcomings, the Fw 200 Condor was a significant aircraft for its time and demonstrated the potential of long-range aircraft for military use.
Focke-Wulf Fw 200 C-3/U4 Specifications
- Crew: five
- Capacity: 30 fully armed troops in transport configuration
- Length: 23.45 m (76 ft 11 in)
- Wingspan: 32.85 m (107 ft 9 in)
- Height: 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 119.85 m2 (1,290.1 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 17,005 kg (37,490 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 22,714 kg (50,076 lb)
- Powerplant: 4 × Bramo 323R-2 9-cylinder single-row air-cooled radial piston engine, 809 kW (1,085 hp) each
- Propellers: 3-bladed variable-pitch propellers
Focke-Wulf Fw 200 C-3/U4 Performance
- Maximum speed: 380 km/h (240 mph, 210 kn) at 4,800 m (15,700 ft)
- Cruise speed: 335 km/h (208 mph, 181 kn) at 4,000 m (13,000 ft) (Max cruise)
- Range: 3,560 km (2,210 mi, 1,920 nmi)
- Endurance: 14 hours
- Service ceiling: 6,000 m (20,000 ft)
Focke-Wulf Fw 200 C-3/U4 Armament
- Guns: ** 1 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 15 machine gun in Drehkranz D-30 forward dorsal turret with 1,125 rounds
- 1 × 13 mm (0.51 in) MG 131 machine gun in aft dorsal turret with 1,000 rounds
- 1 × 20 mm (0.79 in) MG 151 cannon in forward ventral gondola position with 800 rounds
- 1 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 15 machine gun in rear ventral gondola position with 750 rounds
- 2 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 15 machine gun in flexible mountings firing laterally, one on each side of the fuselage with 1,500 rounds
- Bombs: Up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) of bombs internally or up to 5,400 kg (11,900 lb) externally on four PVC 1006 underwing racks
