Focke-Wulf Fw 238

Focke-Wulf Fw 238H

History: This Focke-Wulf long-range bomber project (also known under the Focke-Wulf drawing number 03.10206.20) was designed under the same specifications as the Ta 400 and Junkers Ju 390. Basically, an aircraft was needed that could carry a payload of 5000 kg (11023 lbs) of bombs 15000 km (9321 miles). The guidelines set down in March 1941 by the RLM could only be realized if a safe maneuvering load factor of 1.75 could be used on the outboard portion of the bombing mission. This was possible due to the fact that the aircraft's total weight on takeoff included a maximum amount of fuel, which would be used on the way to the target. This would lighten the aircraft and provide a safer maneuvering load factor of 3.2 at the target and on the return flight to base. The Fw 238 was a large aircraft and was to be constructed entirely of wood. The fuselage was long and boxy, and the wings were tapered on both the leading and trailing edges. Four BMW 803 engines (3900 horsepower each) with counter-rotating four-bladed propellers were to provide the power. A horizontal tail unit with twin fins and rudders was chosen to provide a clear field of fire for the two hydraulically- and-remote-controlled turrets (with two MG 151/20 20mm cannon each located on the upper rear fuselage. There were a further two turrets with similar armament mounted on the rear fuselage bottom, with a provision for a ventral gondola with four MK 108 30mm cannon for the anti-shipping role. All the defensive armament was controlled from the crew area in the forward fuselage. A conventional "tail-dragger" undercarriage scheme was chosen, with the main gear having double wheels and retracting to the rear into the wing. Five crew members (some sources have this number as high as ten) all sat in the extensively glassed-in pressurized cockpit located in the aircraft's nose. The bombload was to consist of 5500 kg (12125 lbs).Another smaller version was also designed, the Focke-Wulf Fw 238H. The construction and overall design was similar, with differing dimensions, weights and performances given in the tables below. There were actually three different proposed variants (see table below), and if the go-ahead had been given for construction, it is possible that these heavy bombers could have been flying by late-1944. Although many aircraft companies tried to persuade the Luftwaffe leadership of the need for a heavy bomber for the strategic role, the RLM ordered all design work on heavy bombers to cease as of February 14, 1943. Function: Heavy bomber Fuel Type: AVGAS Fuel Cap.:28750 Fuel Cons.: 2395 ( 598 pr hour) Load: 5256 kg Veh. Wt.:empty: 24834kg max: 61100kg Crew:5 MNT:12 Runway Min:take-off: 775m/landing: 1300m type:paved Powerplant:4 x BMW 810D (3900hp each) Length: 30,6m Height: 5,8m Wingspan: 50m Speed: max:400kph cruise:310kph stall:110kph Tr.Mov:1240 Comb.Mov:40 Ceiling: 5700m Range: 15000km Armaments: 2 x MG 151/20 20mm cannon remote controlled on tail top ( 2 x 225 rnds) 2 x MG 151/20 20mm cannon remote controlled on tail top ( 2 x 225 rnds) 2 x MG 151/20 20mm cannon remote controlled on tail bottom (2 x 225 rnds) 2 x MG 151/20 20mm cannon remote controlled on tail bottom (2 x 225 rnds) 4 x MK 108 30mm cannon remote controlled on ventral gondola (4 x 300 rnds) , for anti-shipping 5500kg bombs Weapon Data: can have 15000kg boms for 9000km