The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger or Shrike in a nutshell

National origin:- Germany

Role:- Fighter

Manufacturer:- Focke-Wulf

Designer:- Kurt Tank

First flight:- 1st June 1939

Introduction:- August 1941 Retired:- 9 May 1945 (Luftwaffe) and 1949 (Turkey)

Primary users:- Luftwaffe, Hungarian Air Force, Turkish Air Force

Produced:- between 1941-45; 1996: 16 reproductions

Number built:- Over 20,000

Variants:- Ta 152

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger (English: Shrike) named after a bird is a German single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft designed by Kurt Tank in the late 1930s and widely used during World War II. Along with its well-known counterpart, the Messerschmitt Bf 109, the Fw 190 became the backbone of the Luftwaffe's Jagdwaffe (Fighter Force). The twin-row BMW 801 radial engine that powered most operational versions enabled the Fw 190 to lift larger loads than the Bf 109, allowing its use as a day fighter, fighter-bomber, ground-attack aircraft and, to a lesser degree, night fighter.

The Fw 190A started flying operationally over France in August 1941, and quickly proved superior in all but turn radius to the Royal Air Force's main front-line fighter, the Spitfire Mk. V, particularly at low and medium altitudes. The 190 maintained superiority over Allied fighters until the introduction of the improved Spitfire Mk. IX. In November/December 1942, the Fw 190 made its air combat debut on the Eastern Front, finding much success in fighter wings and specialised ground attack units called Schlachtgeschwader (Battle Wings or Strike Wings) from October 1943 onwards.