Best Aircraft in many different roles

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I will have to go with the Fw-190. It could be used as a fighter, night fighter, ground attack, fighter bomber, photo recon, torpedo fighter, attack, tank buster and hell it was even used to carry the Mistel's. Here is a list of the non straight up fighter versions.

Fw 190A-3/U4 Reconnaissance fighter, without the 2 x 20 mm MG FF, but with 1 or 2 Rb 12.5/7 cameras.
Fw 190A-4/U1 Fighter-bomber (heavy) with 2 × 20mm MG 151/20 cannons and 2 × 1,102 lb (SC-500) 500 kg bombs on two ETC 501 racks.
Fw 190A-4/U3 Fighter-bomber (medium) with 2 × 20mm MG 151/20 cannons, 2 × MG 17 guns, and 1 × 1,102 lb (SC-500) 500 kg bombs on one ETC-501 rack.
Fw 190A-4/U3 Fighter-bomber (medium) with 2 × 20mm MG 151/20 cannons, 2 × MG 17 guns, and 1 × 1,102 lb (SC-500) 500 kg bombs on one ETC-501 rack.
Fw 190A-4/U8 Fighter-bomber (long range) with a max take-off weight of 10,803 lb (4.900 kg) and armament with 2 x MG 151/20 cannon and 1 × 1,102 lb (500 kg) SC-500 bomb carried on one ETC 501 rack Range could be increased by 2 × 66 Imp gal (79.25 US gal; 300 liter) droptanks.
Fw 190A-4/Trop Fighter-bomber, tropicalized verion for use in the North African theatre with dust/sand filters, desert survival kit and an ETC 250 rack to carry 1 × 551 lb (250 kg) SC-250 bomb. Max take-off weight was 8,818 lb (4.000 kg).
Fw 190A-4/R6 fitted with two underwing launchers for 8.27 in (21 cm) WGr.21 rockets, max take-off weight was 9,480 lb (4300 kg)
Fw 190A-5/U1 Fighter-bomber (heavy) with 2 × 20mm MG 151/20 cannons and 2 × 1,102 lb (SC-500) 500 kg bombs on two ETC 501 racks.
Fw 190A-5/U2 Night-fighter-bomber (medium) fighter-bomber with a max take-off weight of 9,655 lb (4.380 kg), flame-damped exhausts, 2 × MG 151/20 cannon, 1 × 1,102 lb (500 kg) SC-500 bomb on an underfuselage ETC 501 rack, and underwing provision for two 66 Imp gal (79.25 US gal; 300 liter) drop tanks.
Fw 190A-5/U3 Fighter-bomber (medium) with 2 × 20mm MG 151/20 cannons, 2 × MG 17 guns, and 1 × 1,102 lb (SC-500) 500 kg bombs on one ETC-501 rack. Max take-off weight was 10,580 lb (4.800 kg)
Fw 190A-5/U4 Reconnaissance fighter with same cameras as the Fw 190A-3/U4
Fw 190A-5/U8 Fighter-bomber (long range) with a max take-off weight of 10,803 lb (4.900 kg) and armed with 2 × MG 151/20 cannon and 1 × 1,102 lb (500 kg) SC-500 bomb carried on one ETC 501 rack. Range could be increased by 2 × 66 Imp gal (79.25 US gal; 300 liter) droptanks.
Fw 190A-5/U9 Bomber-destroyer, armed with 2 × MG 151/20 cannon and 2 × 0.51 in (13 mm) MG 131 guns.
Fw 190A-5/U12 Bomber-destroyer, armed with 2 × MG 151/20 cannon and 2 × 0.312 in (7,92 mm) MG 17 guns, supplemented by 4 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon in two WB 151A twin-gun containers scabbed under the wings.
Fw 190A-5/U13 Fighter-bomber (long range), armed with 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, 1 × 1,102 lb (500 kg) SC-500 bomb on one ETC 501 centerline rack, and 2 × 551 lb (250 kg) SC-250 bombs on two Focke-Wulf underwing racks, also able to carry 2 × 79.25 US gal (66 Imp gal; 300 liter) drop tanks.
Fw 190A-5/U14 Torpedo fighter (light), armed with 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon and 1 × LT F5b torpedo.
Fw 190A-5/U15 Torpedo fighter (heavy), with a max take-off weight of 10,802 lb (4.900 kg), armed with 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, and 1 × 2,094 lb (950 kg) LT 950 torpedo
Fw 190A-5/U16 Ground-attack fighter, with a max take-off weight of 9,744 lb (4.420 kg) and armed with 2 × 30 mm MK 108 cannon, 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, and 2 × 0.312 in (7,92 mm) MG 17 guns.
Fw 190A-5/U17 Ground-attack fighter, armed with 2 × 20 mm MG151/20 cannon, 2 × 0.312 in (7.92 mm) MG 17 guns, and with 4 × 110 lb (50 kg) SC-50 bombs carried on two ETC 50 racks
Fw 190A-5/Trop Fighter-bomber, tropicalized version for use in the North African theatre with dust/sand filters, desert survival kit and an ETC 250 rack to carry 1 × 551 lb (250 kg) SC-250 bomb.
Fw 190A-6/U3 Fighter-bomber, fitted with one ETC 501 underfuselage rack and 2 × ETC 250 underwing racks for a max load of 1 × 1,102 lb (500 kg) SC-500 and 2 × 551 lb (250 kg) SC-250 bombs or 2 × 66 Imp gal (79.25 US gal; 300 liter) drop tank for additional range.
Fw 190A-6/R1 Bomber-destroyer, armed with 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon and 2 × 0.312 in (7.92 mm) MG 17 guns, with an additional 4 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon in two WB 151A twin-gun containers scabbed under the wings
Fw 190A-6/R2 Bomber-destroyer,armed with 2 × fixed 30 mm MK 108 cannon in the outboard wing positions, 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon in the inboard wing positions, and 2 × 0.312 in (7.92 mm) MG 17 guns on the upper nose. Max take-off weight was 10,362 lb (4.700 kg)
Fw 190A-6/R3 Bomber-destroyer, armed with 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, 2 × 0.312 in (7.92 mm) MG 17 guns, supplemented by 2 × 30 mm MK 103 cannon in underwing gondolas
Fw 190A-6/R6 Bomber-destroyer, fitted with two underwing launchers for 8.27 in (21 cm) WGr.21 rockets.
Fw 190A-7/R1 Bomber-destroyer, armed with 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon and 2 × 0.312 in (7.92 mm) MG 17 guns, with an additional 4 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon in two WB 151A twin-gun containers scabbed under the wings
Fw 190A-7/R2 Bomber-destroyer,armed with 2 × fixed 30 mm MK 108 cannon in the outboard wing positions, 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon in the inboard wing positions, and 2 × 0.312 in (7.92 mm) MG 17 guns on the upper nose. Max take-off weight was 9,215 lb (4.180 kg)
Fw 190A-7/R3 Bomber-destroyer, armed with 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, 2 × 0.312 in (7.92 mm) MG 17 guns, supplemented by 2 × 30 mm MK 103 cannon in underwing gondolas. Max take-off weight was 9,039 lb (4.100 kg)
Fw 190A-7/R6 Bomber-destroyer, fitted with two underwing launchers for 8.27 in (21 cm) WGr.21 rockets.
Fw 190A-8/U1 Three aircraft were converted to two-seat trainers. The cockpit was lengthened to the rearto accommodate the instructor with dual controls and limited instrumentation
Fw 190A-8/U3 This was the upper element of the Mistel (mistletoe) composite attack warplane whose lower component was the Focke-Wulf Ta 154 'Moskito' night-fighter
Fw 190A-8/U11 Fighter-bomber, whose standard external load of up to 2,205 lb (1.000 kg) of bombs on the ETC 501 underfuselage rack could be replaced by 1 × 1,543 lb (700 kg) BT 700 torpedo bomb to allow the aircraft to operate in the torpedo-fighter role. Max take-off weight was 10,538 lb (4.780 kg).
Fw 190A-8/R1 Bomber-destroyer, armed with 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon and 2 × 0.312 in (7.92 mm) MG 17 guns, with an additional 4 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon in two WB 151A twin-gun containers scabbed under the wings. Max take-off weight was 10,367 lb (4.700 kg)
Fw 190A-8/R2 Bomber-destroyer, armed with 2 × fixed 30 mm MK 108 cannon in the outboard wing positions, 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon in the inboard wing positions, and 2 × 0.312 in (7.92 mm) MG 17 guns on the upper nose.
Fw 190A-8/R3 Bomber-destroyer, armed with 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, 2 × 0.312 in (7.92 mm) MG 17 guns, supplemented by 2 × 30 mm MK 103 cannon in underwing gondolas. Max take-off weight was 10,141 lb (4.600 kg)
Fw 190A-8/R6 Bomber-destroyer, fitted with two underwing launchers for 8.27 in (21 cm) WGr.21 rockets.
Fw 190A-8/R7 Assault-fighter, it had a fixed armament of 4 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon and 2 × 0.51 in (13 mm) MG 131 guns, and fitted with an armored cockpit. Meant to be used by the newly created Sturmgruppen (assault wings).
Fw 190A-8/R8 Assault-fighter, based on the Fw 190A-8/R7, and armed with 2 × fixed 30 mm MK 108 cannon in the outboard wing positions, 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon in the inboard wing positions, and 2 × 0.312 in (7.92 mm) MG 17 guns on the upper nose (like the Fw 190A-8/R2).
Fw 190A-8/R11 All-weather fighter, armed with 4 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon and 2 × 0.51 in (13 mm) MG 131 guns . It was powered by 1 × BMW 801TU radial, rated at 2,000 hp (1.491 kW), and featured the PKS 12 radio navigation equipment, revised radio equipment, and heated cockpit windows. Max take-off weight was 9,921 lb (4.500 kg)
Fw 190A-8/R12 All-weather fighter, identical to the Fw 190A-8/R11, except for armament: 2 × 30 mm MK 108 cannon, 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon and 2 × 0.51 in (13 mm) MG 131 guns
Fw 190D-9/R11 All-weather fighter with improved radio equipment and the PKS 12 radio navigation system
Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-12 The Fw 190D-10 and Fw 190D-11 never were produced, save for 7 D-11 prototypes. The Fw 190D-12 was the definitive ground attack fighter. It was powered by 1 × Jumo 213F, rated at 1,750 hp (1.305 kW) for take-off or 2,060 hp (1.536 kW) with the MW HD high-pressure methanol/water power-boost system. It had a three-stage supercharger, was fitted with a fixed armament of 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon in the wing roots and 1 × 30 mm MK 108 cannon between the cylinder banks of the engine. A sheathing of armor was designed and installed to protect it from anti-aircraft fire during low-level missions.
None of these aircraft were used operationally, probably because of a lack of fuel.
Number built: Unknown, out of a total of 674 D-series aircraft
Focke-Wulf Fw 190F-1 The Fw 190F was a dedicated close-support fighter, and was a production line model of the Fw 190A-5/U3, with a strengthened landing gear and fitted with 1 × ETC 501 center fuselage rack, and 4 × ETC 50 underwing racks. Max bomb load was 1,984 lb (900 kg), optionally increased to 2,646 lb (1.200 kg) under special circumstances as the ETC 501 rack was able to carry a 2,205 lb (1.000 kg) load. Also, the Fw 190F-series had improved protection in the form of some 794 lb (360 kg) of armor for the pilot, engine and oil tank. This model was based on the Fw 190A-4, rather than the Fw 190A-5
Number built: 25 to 30
Fw 190F-3/R3 Tank-buster version with 2 × 30 mm MK 103 under the wings
Fw 190F-8/U1 Two-seat tandem advanced trainer. Uncertainty exists over whether or not this version was actually built or not
Fw 190F-8/U2 Torpedo-fighters with provision for the 882 lb (400 kg) BT 400, 1,543 lb (700 kg) BT 700 or 3,086 lb (1.400 kg) BT 1400 torpedo-bomb
Fw 190F-8/U3 Torpedo-fighters with provision for the 882 lb (400 kg) BT 400, 1,543 lb (700 kg) BT 700 or 3,086 lb (1.400 kg) BT 1400 torpedo-bomb (like above)
Fw 190F-8/U14 Torpedo-fighter, with provision for the LT F5b torpedoes.
Fw 190F-8/U15 Torpedo-fighter, with provision for the 2,094 lb (950 kg) LT 900 torpedo.
Fw 190F-8/R1 Attack aircraft, armed with 2 × 0.51 in (13 mm) MG 131 fuselage-mounted guns and 4 × 20 mm MG 151/20 wing-mounted cannon as well as underwing bombs on 4 × ETC 71 racks.
Fw 190F-8/R2 Attack aircraft, armed with 2 × 0.51 in (13 mm) MG 131 fuselage-mounted guns and 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 wing-mounted cannon, supplemented by 2 × 30 mm MK 108 cannon in underwing gondolas.
Fw 190F-8/R3 Attack aircraft, armed with 2 × 0.51 in (13 mm) MG 131 guns and 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, supplemented by 2 × 30 mm MK 103 underwing cannon for tank-busting operations.
Fw 190F-8/R13 Nocturnal ground-attack fighter, fitted with additional navigation equipment and armed with 2 × 0.51 in (13 mm) MG 131 fuselage-mounted guns and up to 3,307 lb (1.500 kg) of disposable stores carried on 1 × ETC 501 underfuselage rack and 2 × ETC 503 underwing racks
Fw 190F-8/R14 Torpedo-fighter, powered by 1 × BMW 801TU radial, rated at 2,000 hp (1.491 kW) for take-off. It featured the PKS 12 radio navigation system, and was armed with 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon in the wing roots and one LT F5b torpedo carried on an ETC 502 underfuselage rack.
Fw 190F-8/R15 Torpedo-fighter, equal to the Fw 190F-8/R14, but with the standard 1 × BMW 801D-2 engine and a 3,086 lb (1400 kg) LT 1400 torpedo-bomb.
Fw 190F-8/R16 Torpedo-fighter, equal to the Fw 190F-8/15, but with a 1,543 lb (700 kg) LT 700 torpedo-bomb.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~fbonne/warbirds/ww2htmls/fockfw190.html
Click to expand...

So yes based of this, my vote goes for the Fw-190 as the best single engined aircraft of WW2.
 
It was. What is also funny is British intelligence mistook it for captured Mohawks, when the first reports of a radial engined aircraft came back to Britain in June 1941.
 
Mohawk4_1.jpg


Curtiss P-36 Mohawk. The French had them, and British intelligence thought this was what the Germans were using...when in actual fact, it was a Fw-190.
 
There is a world of difference between the P-36 and the Fw-190.

The Corsair had one major advantage over the 190 in versatility, carrier-capability.

I've also noted that the Germans seem to built a specialized version for EVERYTHING. Do you guys think this helped or hurt their war effort?
 
I suppose that the Fw-190 had it in terms of ALL the variants they used, it was indeed the best of German craftsmanship, testimony to that is Flugwerk making new ones now [get your order in today!!!]...
- But my personal feeling is that with the Corsair first flying around 1940 odd, it did end-up surprising alotta folk with it's robust performance and durability, it's armament, ordinance-carrying and dogfighting ability, and it's overall tour of duty, as they didn't stop making them until 1953...

Both were superb, and a credit to both Rex Beisel and Kurt Tank respectively, [and lately, Flugwerk...]

Actually, it's hard to choose between them...I chose the Corsair purely on patriotic grounds......
 

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I dont think it hurt them really that bad. A lot of the specialized versions were actually just standard aircraft with field conversion kits. For instance the Fw 190F-8/R15 Torpedo-fighter, equal to the Fw 190F-8/R14, but with the standard 1 × BMW 801D-2 engine and a 3,086 lb (1400 kg) LT 1400 torpedo-bomb was just a Fw-190F-8 that was field converted with the conversion kit to make it a torpedo bomber. Yes they did make specialized versions two but I dont really think it hurt them. As stated fuel shortages hurt them the most.
 
Gemhorse said:
I suppose that the Fw-190 had it in terms of ALL the variants they used, it was indeed the best of German craftsmanship, testimony to that is Flugwerk making new ones now [get your order in today!!!]...
- But my personal feeling is that with the Corsair first flying around 1940 odd, it did end-up surprising alotta folk with it's robust performance and durability, it's armament, ordinance-carrying and dogfighting ability, and it's overall tour of duty, as they didn't stop making them until 1953...

Both were superb, and a credit to both Rex Beisel and Kurt Tank respectively, [and lately, Flugwerk...]

Actually, it's hard to choose between them...I chose the Corsair purely on patriotic grounds......
Click to expand...

That is awesome I just checked out the Flugwerk website. They are actually building Me-109's and Fw-190's for private use with modern built parts made to the manufactureres specifications. They also do restorations of actuall WW2 aircraft including the Me-109, Fw-190 and P-51. I wonder how much one would set you back?
 
It was the radial engine that got them confused, LG. The pilots even said that it wasn't a Mohawk because a Mohawk couldn't handle like that. British intelligence had no clue about the Fw-190, so they carried on claiming they were just captured Mohawks.
 
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