Focke-Wulf Fw 44 Stieglitz

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The Focke-Wulf Fw 44 Stieglitz (Goldfinch) is a twin-seat biplane designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Focke-Wulf. It was the company's first major international success.Template:Sfn

The Fw 44 had a relatively conventional layout for a biplane, possessing a pair of open cockpits that were arranged in tandem; both cockpits were equipped with flight controls and instrumentation. The aircraft had straight untapered wings, fixed tailwheel landing gear, and was typically powered by a Siemens-Halske Sh 14 radial engine. It was furnished with ailerons on both upper and lower wings, but did not use flaps. The design team was headed by Kurt Tank.<ref>Munson 1977, p. 129.</ref> Intended for use as a pilot training and sports aircraft, the first prototype conducted its maiden flight in the latter half of 1932; while initially proving to be troublesome, remedial modifications and design tweaks quickly adapted the Fw 44 into a suitable aircraft for performing aerobatic manoeuvres, a feat which numerous noted pilots took advantage of.

The aircraft quickly garnered substantial orders from flight schools and flying clubs, both in Germany and abroad. The rate of orders was such that not only did Focke-Wulf establish a second factory but multiple licences were issued to other companies, leading to the Fw 44 being produced in several other countries. The Fw 44C had been considered to be the definitive version of the aircraft, it was powered by a Siemens-Halske Sh 14 radial engine. On several occasions, the type saw key military use; the Republic of China Air Force had their aircraft adapted for frontline combat during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The Luftwaffe operated numerous Fw 44s, both before and during the Second World War.

Design and development

During the mid-1920s, the recently formed German aircraft manufacturer Focke-Wulf commenced limited production of their first civil-orientated aircraft, such as the Focke-Wulf A 16.<ref name = "smithkay 155"/> In 1931, the company benefitted from two key events, the merger of rival aircraft manufacturer Albatros Flugzeugwerke with Focke-Wulf and the arrival of the capable aeronautical engineer Kurt Tank as the leader of the firm's design department. In this capacity, Tank played a key role in the development of what would become the Fw 44, which commenced that same year.<ref name = "smithkay 155">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 155.</ref>

The Fw 44 was a single-bay strut-and-wire-braced twin-seat biplane intended for use as a primary trainer and sporting aircraft.<ref name = "smithkay 1556">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 155-156.</ref> It had equal span wings which had slight sweepback, stagger, and dihedral. The lower wings attached directly to the bottom of the fuselage, the upper wings were connected to the upper fuselage via struts, and a set of N-shaped struts ran between the upper and lower wings on either side of the aircraft.<ref name = "smithkay 156"/> Wood was used for the wing's structural members, such as pinewood spars and ribs; a combination of fabric and plywood was used to cover the wing. The structure of the fuselage comprised welded steel tubing; metal panels covered the forward fuselage while a fabric covering was used for elements aft of the rear cockpit.<ref name = "smithkay 156"/>

The tail unit featured mixed construction, being covered with both fabric and plywood; the angle of incidence was adjustable mid-flight.<ref name = "smithkay 156"/> To reduce the risk of a fire within the engine bay, a bulkhead composed of duralumin was present behind the tubular engine mount. The fuselage contained two fuel tanks, the lower of which was used during inverted flight; both tanks were forward of the bulkhead, as was a third tank containing lubricating oil.<ref name = "smithkay 1567">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 156-157.</ref> Both of the aircraft's two cockpits, which were open, were compatible with seat-type parachutes. Just aft of the rear cockpit was a luggage locker that was accessed by folding down the seat.<ref name = "smithkay 157"/>

During late summer 1932, the first prototype performed its maiden flight.<ref name="Holmes"/> Early test flights were troubled by a range of technical issues, compelling a detailed redesign of the aircraft.<ref name = "smithkay 156"/> Following extensive modifications and testing, it was determined that the redesigned aircraft not only possessed favourable flight characteristics but was also capable of withstanding considerable stresses; these qualities proved to be quite beneficial for conducting aerobatic manoeuvres. Several noted pilots opted to perform aerial displays using the type, such as Gerd Achgelis, Enrst Edet, and Emil Kopf, the latter's aircraft bore the registration D-EMIL.<ref name = "smithkay 156">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 156.</ref>

Much of the early demand for the type came from flight schools and flying clubs; the order numbers were such that Focke-Wulf was able to establish a second factory to produce the type.<ref name = "smithkay 156"/> Customers were not only confined to the German market; numerous nations in South America, Europe, and Asia would purchase the type, some opting to establish local production of the Fw 44 in order to meet their needs. Multiple variants of the aircraft were developed, many of which were for these export customers.<ref name = "smithkay 156"/>

The Fw 44B was the second production version of the aircraft; it was powered by an Argus As 8 four-cylinder inverted inline air-cooled engine, capable of producing up to 90 kW (120 hp).<ref name="Holmes"/> The cowling for this engine gave the plane a more slender and aerodynamic nose.<ref name = "smithkay 156"/> The definitive version of the aircraft was the Fw 44C, which was powered by a Siemens-Halske Sh 14 radial engine instead.<ref name = "smithkay 156"/>

The last series version was the Fw 44J, which was sold or built under license in several countries around the world.

Operational history

Nineteen Fw 44s (Twelve Fw 44Fs and seven Fw 44Js) were purchased by the provincial government of Canton (Guangdong) in 1935–36, for use by its own air force.Template:Sfn The Canton Air Force was incorporated into the main Nationalist Air Force in July 1936, as Canton lost its independence.Template:Sfn These were modified for combat missions and participated in the early stage of the Second Sino-Japanese War, all are believed to have been lost in action.Template:Citation needed

Many Fw 44Cs were operated by the Luftwaffe; this included during the Second World War, with the Flugzeugführerschulen and one or two Flugkriegsschulen.Template:Sfn<ref name = "smithkay 157">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 157.</ref>

Variants

File:Stieglitzc 2008.jpg
Fw 44J G-STIG at Old Warden 2008
Fw 44B
Fw 44C
Main production version with minor equipment changes, powered by a seven-cylinder Siemens-Halske Sh 14a radial piston engine.
Fw 44D
Fw 44E
Fw 44F
Fw 44J
Final production model, powered by a seven-cylinder Siemens-Halske Sh 14a radial piston engine.
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Fw 44J produced under license in Brazil by Fábrica do Galeão.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

I.Ae. 23

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I.Ae. 23, the Argentinian "Wooden Focke-Wulf"

Between 1937 and 1942 the Fábrica Militar de Aviones (FMA) of Argentina had built 190 units of the FW-44J Stieglitz. It was powered by a domestically built version of the Siemens Bramo Sh-14 engine called the I. Ae. Sh-14. The Fw 44Js were destined for the Argentine Military Aviation School and for numerous aero clubs for use as training aircraft.

In 1944, the Instituto Aerotécnico received the request to experiment with the construction of the Fw 44J, but using purely national woods instead of importing them, following the pattern initiated by the development of the I.Ae. 22 "DL" trainer. The project was named I.Ae. 23. It was known as "Wooden Focke-Wulf" (Focke-Wulf de Madera in Spanish).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The I.Ae. 23 flew for the first time on July 7, 1945.<ref name = airwar>Template:Cite web</ref> The plane was used for training and aerobatics. It was configured with a Kodak photo gun. Despite its success, only one was built, as its design was surpassed by other machines of British origin that were acquired in 1946.

Operators

File:Focke Wulf Fw 44 J Stieglitz 1.jpg
A Focke-Wulf Fw 44J in 2005
File:FOCKE WULF 44-J STIEGLITZ FAA.jpg
Focke-Wulf Fw 44s from Argentina, c. 1937.
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The aircraft was produced under license in 1937–1942 period<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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– license production

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Specifications

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References

Citations

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Bibliography

Further reading

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