Friday, September 29, 2023

Focke Wulf with BMW 802 and sub variants

FW with BMW 802 engines 

Initially I was under the assumption that this design was entirely based on the FW 190 fuselage. So in essence a standard 190 modified to accommodate the big BMW 802 engine. This assumption was also supported by some statements from literature, see below (source unknown). 
However, if that assumption was indeed correct, the depicted shape of the fuselage must be somewhat inaccurate. The fuselage seems oddly short and the shape of the VTP differes quite significantly from the 190. The design was initially derived by Dipl-Ing Ludwig Mittelhuber, as stated by luft46.com (no source given). Mittelhuber was seemingly involved in numerous FW projects (TW 200, Ta 154 etc). 


Source Material (primary)

So more sources were needed. After additional investigation, I found this drawing of a Focke Wulf with the BMW 802. Published here. Size 14 cm x 10 cm. Most likely discover by Heinz Norwarra, as the backside indicates. 


H. Norwarra states the following in his book (Die Deutsche Luftrüstung 1933-1945), we're the same image is shown: 

Weiterentwicklung FW 190 D mit 18-Zylinder BMW 802 Startleistung 2450 PS. Propellerhaube vorn offen für Kühlluftzuführung. Bewaffnung 4 MK, zwei über Motor, zwei in Flügelwurzel. Spannweite 13,00 m, Länge 11,15 m. 

Engl. 

Further development FW 190 D with 18-cylinder BMW 802 starting power 2450 hp. Propeller hood open at the front for cooling air supply. Armament 4 MK, two over engine, two in wing root. Span 13.00 m, length 11.15 m.

Strangely enough, it is described by Norwarra as a development of the FW 190 D. Nothing seems to support that statement at this point. According to Gunston  ((2006). World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines: From the Pioneers to the Present Day (5th ed.). Stroud, UK: Sutton. ISBN 0-7509-4479-X) the BMW 802 development was discontinued in 1942, the same year the first D-0 was completed. The armament is visible on the drawing, but placing 2 MKs (108?) above the motor seems to be an odd choice due to the cramped space available. luft46.com claims no armament at all. I personally believe two MG 131 to be more likely, plus MK 108s in the wings. 

Furthermore, in 'Flugzeug Classic 2/2005' a gentleman called Horst Lob (Bremen) published the following image, in the section 'letter to the editor'. 
Apart from the image, the gentleman could not provide further information apart from some speculation. The image was titled 'Entwurf with BMW 8011' But, this is indeed the first 3- view drawing of that FW with the infamous BMW 8011.

As for the BMW 8011, I found the following statement on the forum https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/:

From BMW Aero Engines by Jakobs, Kroschel, and Piere... "33 projects codenamed P 8000 to P 8032 are documented for the period up to April 1942 alone. All of them were either based on the BMW 801 (13 projects) or on the 802 (20 projects). For the most part, the main focus of the documented projects was on internal and external engine aerodynamics, looking for example at charge-air and cooling air feed, or at a double spinner with or without an inlet cone."

This seems to support the assumption that the BWM P.8011 was a sub-version of the 802 (or 801?). Information about that engine was at some point forwarded to BMW which integrated it into their design. As an example, P.8008 is depicted below. Wikipedia suggests two turbochargers for the P.8011. I do not have access to any source supporting that statement. P.8011 might as well featured 3 turbo chargers as P.8008.



The wing of the Mittelhuber fighter also differs significantly from the FW 190 wing, see below (compared here to FW 190 D-9 wing). The sweep angle of the leading edge is smaller, the wing tip pointier. Wing span is 13.00 m compared to 10.51 m for the D-9. 



Overall. I have to assume,  that Mittelhuber's design is A) not closely based on the 190 after all. And B), FW/ Mittelhuber would sporadically update the design with input from BMW, that was working on numerous sub- versions for the BMW 802. So at this point it can also be concluded that this aircraft was not a sub- variant of the FW 190. 


Focke Wulf with BMW 802 and sub variants

FW with BMW 802 engines  Initially I was under the assumption that this design was entirely based on the FW 190 fuselage. So in essence a st...