| Focke-Wulf Fw 62 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | reconnaissance floatplane |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Focke-Wulf |
| Designer | Erich Arbeitlang |
| First flight | 23 October 1937 |
| Number built | 4 |
The Focke-Wulf Fw 62 was a German reconnaissance floatplane designed and built by Focke-Wulf for use by the German Navy. Only four were built.
Development[]
In 1936 the RLM, the German ministry of aviation, formulated a requirement for a shipboard seaplane for reconnaissance missions, to replace the Heinkel He 114. The aircraft was to be light, with a maximal weight of 2.5 tons and a crew of one or two, and suitable for catapult launching. Equipment and armament were to be kept to a minimum.[1] Focke-Wulf competed with the Fw 62, a conventional biplane design. The Fw 62 was of mixed construction and powered by a 705 kW (945 hp) BMW 132K radial engine. The engine was tightly cowled and drove a two-bladed propeller. The biplane wings were of equal span and featured two N-type struts on each side. They could be folded for shipboard storage. Every wing had a plain flap and an aileron. The first prototype was flown on 23 October 1937. The first and second prototype had twin floats, while the third and fourth had a large central float and smaller outboard stabilizing floats. Official tests began in Travemünde in January 1938. The Fw 62 was a capable aircraft and well liked by the test pilots, but the competing Arado Ar 196 monoplane was both conceptually and structurally much more modern, and was chosen for production.[2]
The Fw 62 prototypes were evaluated for a while longer, mainly because the sprung attachment of the floats, to reduce stress loads on landing, was of interest.
Specifications[]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 11.15 m (36.6 ft)
- Wingspan: 12.35 m (40.5 ft)
- Height: 4.30 m (14.1 ft)
- Wing area: 36.10 sq. m (388.6 sq. ft)
- Empty weight: 2,158 kg (4,760 lb)
- Loaded weight: 2,875 kg (6,340 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × BMW 132Dc, 656 kW (945 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 280 km/h (170 mph)
- Cruise speed: 265 km/h (165 mph)
- Range: 900 km (560 mi)
- Rate of climb: 6.33 m/s (1,246 ft/min)
Armament
1 x 7.92 mm MG 15 machine gun in rear cockpit, 4 x 50 kg (110 lb) SC 50 bombs.
See also[]
- Arado Ar 196
- List of seaplanes and amphibious aircraft
References[]
External links[]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Focke-Wulf Fw 62. |
The original article can be found at Focke-Wulf Fw 62 and the edit history here.