Under the Cowl of the Flying Heritage Collection FW-190A-5

It is not very often you get a chance to take a closer look at what is under the engine cowling of an original World War Two, German Luftwaffe Focke-Wulf Fw-190A-5 fighter known as the Würger or “Butcher Bird” (for its lethal reputation and heavy armament of MG151 20mm cannons and MG131 13mm machine guns). I was lucky enough to do just that this week at the Flying Heritage Collection (FHC are constantly maintaining their aircraft, especially leading up to the summer flying season). Look at that mighty and original BMW 801 D-2 radial engine!

Focke-Wulf Fw-190A-5 at FHC (May 2016)

The mighty BMW 801 D-2 radial engine of the Fw-190A-5

This aircraft (Werknummer 151227) was manufactured in 1943 and is an Fw-190A-5/U3 variant which was used as a ground attack fighter (a Jabo). It could carry drop tanks and bombs along with its 2 x MG131 machine guns and 2 x MG151 cannons (instead of the 4 fitted to other fighter variants).

Note the 2 x MG131 13mm machine guns above the BMW 801 D-2 radial engine and 1 of the 2 x MG151 20mm cannons in the wing

Fw-190A-5/U3 ground attack fighter

It is fantastic to be able to see under the engine cowl!

“Butcher Bird”

BMW 801 D-2 radial engine

Head on

Immaculate

A beautiful and original machine

I assume thats the propeller of the Fw-190 in that shipping crate?

So much work goes into maintaining original warbirds. I am thankful they keep them flying!

Mean machine

This Fw-190A-5 looks almost brand new – an amazing restoration!

Access panels abound

Dedication and hard work got this “Butcher Bird” flying again and keeps it in the skies over Washington state

This Fw-190A-5 served on the Eastern Front near Leningrad with Jagdgeschwader 54 Grünherz (JG54 Green Heart – fighter wing 54) and crashed whilst attacking a Soviet supply train on July 9th, 1943. The pilot Feldwebel Paul Ratz became a prisoner of war but this aircraft sat deep in inaccessible marshlands, slowly being surrounded by a growing forest. It pretty much sat there untouched until rediscovered and recovered in the late 1980’s. Following a long restoration it was first returned to flight in 2010 and continues to be a hit at FHC Flying Days.