Fw 190A-5 W.Nr. 1197 “White 1” of 4./JG26

Fw 190A-5 of JG26

Fw 190A-5 1197 4/JG26 flown by Luftwaffe Ace Otto Stammberger

The Fw 190A-5 series featured several significant modifications and variants, reflecting the versatility and adaptability of the aircraft design. The prototype for this series, the A-3/U1 (Werknummer 270), featured a fuselage lengthened by 15 cm and an engine repositioned further forward to balance the increased equipment weight. This modification was not reflected in the official documentation regarding fuselage dimensions.

Key Variants and Modifications of the Fw 190A-5 Series:

  1. A-5/U1: Initially equipped with the older BMW 801C engine due to shortages, later swapped for BMW 801D engines during overhauls. It included advanced instrumentation like an electrically-operated artificial horizon and a turn-and-bank indicator.

  2. A-5/U2: Configured for “Wilde Sau” night fighting, it featured exhaust flame dampers and fittings for two drop tanks, with five units sent for field testing.

  3. A-5/U3: Ground attack variant capable of carrying up to 1000 kg payload, including machine guns, cannons, and armor. It included tropical equipment for hot climates and was equipped with the FuG 16Z and FuG 25.

  4. A-5/U4: Designed as a reconnaissance fighter, equipped with RB 12 cameras and tropical equipment.

  5. A-5/U8: A long-range fighter-bomber (Jabo-Rei) carrying two 300-liter underwing drop tanks and a 500 kg bomb. It underwent conversion in spring 1943 and was tested at Rechlin.

  6. A-5/U9: A heavy fighter variant armed with six cannons, which served as prototypes for later models like the A-7, A-8, and F-8.

  7. A-5/U10: Featured two MG 131s instead of MG 17s above the engine, an experimental setup leading to later series.

  8. A-5/U11: Equipped with a 30 mm MK 103 cannon and underwing ETC racks, tested as a tank-buster.

  9. A-5/U12: A heavy fighter variant with a remarkable armament of eight guns, used as a prototype for subsequent heavy fighter designs.

  10. A-5/U13: Long-range fighter-bomber with drop tanks, autopilot, DF loop, and an automatic camera, featuring a Kuto-Nase for cutting balloon cables.

  11. A-5/U14 and A-5/U15: Torpedo bomber variants with modifications for carrying anti-ship torpedoes, though practical tests revealed issues with the torpedoes’ reliability upon water impact.

  12. A-5/U16: Heavy fighter variant equipped with additional 30 mm MK 108 cannons.

  13. A-5/U17: A ground attack variant, which later served as a prototype for the F-3 ground attack model.

  14. A-5/R1: Command aircraft version with the FuG 16ZE.

Throughout its production, the A-5 series demonstrated significant adaptability, being modified for a wide range of roles, from night fighting and ground attack to long-range bombing and torpedo attacks. Despite these modifications, the increasing weight of the aircraft became a concern, showcasing the limits of its flexibility .


Published at 1600 × 1011 px.
Link to full-size photo:
Fw 190A-5 W.Nr. 1197 “White 1” of 4./JG26

Site statistics:
Photos of World War II: over 26800
aircraft: 63 models
tanks: 59 models
vehicles: 59 models
guns: 3 models
units: 2
ships: 47
WW2 battlefields - 12
weapon models: -
equipment: -