Differences between Fw 190 A8 and the Fw 190 F8

[Ikerus]

What are the major differences between these varations of this plane? If by chance they are the same platform, then why is one A and the other F?

I am also looking for Fw 190 F8 'Erni' serial number 3+- from the unit II/SG4. It served on the Eastern front, Spring, 1945

 

[Ikerus]

Wurger, what are the names of the books that you are using that you usually give me info, and pictures from?

 

[lesofprimus]

It differed from the Fw-190A-8 by being equipped with a modified injector on the compressor which allowed for increased performance at lower altitudes for several minutes... Additionally, the Fw-190F-8 was equipped with the improved FuG 16 ZS radio unit, which allowed much better communication with ground combat units....

Armament of the Fw 190 F-8 was restricted to two MG 151/20 20mm cannon in the wing roots and two MG 131 machine guns mounted in the fuselage above the engine.... According to official records, at least 3,400 F-8s were built, a greater number than the Fw-190A-8, as of December 1944.... Several hundred more were likely produced between February to May 1945, though the records are missing....

 

[Ikerus]

ok, so where the radio in the A8 would be, is it the same place for the F8?

where does everyone look for this information?

 

[lesofprimus]

Yes, radio would be in the same place....

And where to look???? Its called Google......

 

[Ikerus]

I ment for the books, i kinda figured google...

also I know the bookstore, but what is one that people recomend that I pick up on this plane...

 

[Ikerus]

What books are recommended, and I mean by title, do aide in my search for the differences, color schemes, and other helpful things for building models. I have started searching Borders book store, but I want to refine my search to specific titles.

Any help is useful.

 

[Wurger]

Hello Ikerus,

Les is right with the info on F-8 version. All what I can add to that is that in the spring of 1944 the F-8 model replaced F-3 on assembly lines.The base for the plane was A-8 armed with two MG131MGs in fuselage and MG151/20E in wings. It was quite short series and then the new model F-8/R1 was intruduced. Its armament was extended with underwing ETC50 ( later with ETC70 or ETC71 ) bomb racks.In addition the new bulged cockpit conopy was introduced.

Here a few variants of the F-8 assault Wurger with Umrustbausatz kits and Rustsatz kit standards,

Fw190F-8 ( basic plane) 2xMG151 in wing roots

Fw 190F-8/U1 - long range fighter-bomber (provided as replacement for the Fw 190G-8 by then withdrawn from production). The plane had underwing pylons installed from the Bf 110 V.Mitt-Schloss (Verkleidetes Messerschmitt Schloss) for mounting two 300 litre fuel tanks and additional fuel pumps inside the wings. Some planes had ETC 503 bomb racks in place of the pylons that gave the capability of carrying two additional 250 kg bombs (in this case the fuel tank was mounted under the fuselage) on ETC 501 racks. It was possible was to mount bombs on all points (2x250 kg and 1x500 kg), this reduced range but made the Fw 190A dangerous plane carrying 1000 kg of bombs.

Fw 190F-8/U2 - torpedo plane with two underwing ETC 503 racks or under-fuselage mounted ETC 504 (previously ETC 501) bomb rack. The plane was equipped with a special sight system, TSA 2A (Tiefsturzangle 2A) for precise aerial torpedo BT (Bombentorpedo) aiming. Using this torpedo it was possible to attack targets from a higher altitude and from a higher angle than in the case of an ordinary aerial torpedo LT (Lufttorpedo). It was planned to use two BT 400 or one BT 700 torpedo. Other armament was reduced to two fuselage mounted MG 131 machine guns. A small number of these planes were in service with 11./KG200.

Fw 190F-8/U3 - torpedo plane adapted for transportation of the heavy BT 1400 torpedo on an under-fuselage mounted ETC 502 pylon designed specially for this in TWP Gotenhafen-Hexengrund (see the section "Operational use"). His plane had a lengthened tail wheel strut to eliminate the possibility of striking the ground with the torpedo. The plane was equipped with the TSA 2 sight system coupled with a FuG 101 radio altimeter. This version was powered by the more powerful 2000 hp (1470 kW) BMW 801 TS engine. The Ta 152 tail was also mounted.

Fw 190F-8/U4 - night fighter-bomber powered by a BMW 801 TS engine with exhaust flames dampers. Standard equipment was: PKS 12 autopilot device, FuG 101 radio altimeter, TSA 2A sight system and other devices to aid night navigation and flight. Armament consisted of aerial torpedoes and bombs that could be carried on two underwing ETC 503 bomb racks. Other armament was reduced to two MG 151/20 E cannons in wings. Probably only one plane built (W.Nr. 586596). Admittedly, NSGr 20 used numerous Fw 190F-8 with flame dumpers and underwing mounted bomb racks but it was not a F-8/U4 but rather field adapted, standard G-8 or F-8/U1 planes.

Fw 190F-8/U5 - simplified variant of F-8/U2 modification, without some of the external equipment.

Fw 190F-8/R1 - fighter-bomber with four underwing mounted ETC 50 bomb racks for 50 kg bombs, later replaced by ETC 71 dispensers for 70 kg bombs (e.g. AB 70 cluster bomb). There are planes known with both dispenser types mounted in pairs of the different types (2x ETC 50 + 2x ETC 71) under the wings.

Fw 190F-8/R3 - attack plane with two MK 103 30 mm cannons, similar to the A-5/U11 variant. Only two planes built.

Fw 190F-8/R13 - plane adapted for night operations, equivalent to the F8/U4.

Fw 190F-8/R14 - torpedo plane adapted to carry aerial torpedoes LT F 5b and LT 1B on the ETC 502 bomb rack. It was a development of Fw 190 A-5/U14 plane. It was equipped with the lengthened tail wheel strut and enlarged Ta 152 tail. Powered by the more powerful BMW 801 TS engine.

Fw 190F-8/R15 - equivalent to F-8/U3.

Fw 190F-8/R16 - equivalent to F-8/U2.

Fw190F-8/Pb1 - Panzerblitz 1 (Pb 1) system was developed consisting of six and, more often, eight R4M air-to-air missiles. They were adapted for tank destroying by mounting an 80 mm M8 type warhead for an armour penetration of up to 90 mm. Using the Pb 1 unit it was possible to destroy tanks at a 200 m distance with rockets being fired in salvo or in pairs. The only limitation was a maximum speed of 490 km/hr, not to be exceeded during missile firing. Up to February 1945 the Luftwaffe received 115 Fw 190F-8/Pb 1 planes.


Fw190F-8/Pb2 - Panzerblitz 2 (Pb 2) unit( the successor to the Pb 1 unit). The main difference between them was the replacement of the M8 warhead by a hollow-charge warhead able to penetrate up to 180 mm armour. Also developed was the new missile system Panzerblitz 3 (Pb 3) with a 210 mm hollow-charge warhead, but it was not operational by the end of the war.



Concerning books there is a lot of them all around the world and it is very difficult to recommend one or two of them.Personally I use Kagero sreries of books for Fw190 (Vol.1-4),Peter Caygill's book Focke Wulf Fw190. Ospry Elite series vol.13 Luftwaffe Schlachtgruppen, vol.20 Luftwaffe Sturmgruppen,
Squadron/Signal publication Walk around series vol.22, AJ-Press Monograph series Fw190 vol 4,6,18,21, Aero Detail vol.6 Fw190A/F and many others.

 

[Ikerus]

Thanks