Focke-Wulf 190 (oz10552)

About this Plan

Focke-Wulf 190 (sp. Focke-Wolf 190). Rubber scale free flight model German WWII fighter. Scale is 1/12.

Quote: "Focke Wulf 190, by KH Hodgson.

AS many people desire a true-to-stale replica of a prominent fighting plane of this war, this flying scale model of one of Germany's latest fighters should prove very welcome. As can be seen by the photographs, it looks extremely realistic.

The model is designed with a view to reliable flying and even more important, to be as damage-proof as possible. Construction is therefore much stronger than necessary. Tests have proved that it can take very hard crashes without suffering serious damage.

For simplicity, all unnecessary details are omitted and the complete model is covered with black tissue, even to the propeller. This was thought preferable to coloured tissue or dopes and also gives a silhouette appearance against the sky. The Crosses and swastikas are in white paper glued on to double-covered tissue.

As low wings look 'ugly' when flying with an under-carriage in the down position, it is flown without one, but the prop and nose are protected by two wire skids which are invisible in flight. An undercarriage is provided for whoever wishes it.

The total weight is 10-1/2 oz, which is not unduly heavy for its strength. Flying is realistic, having a gentle climb to about 40-50 ft, circling and gently corning down to make a perfect belly landing with the last few turns, duration being from 20-35 sec. This performance should easily be improved upon as all flights have been with poor motors in unfavourable weather for this type of plane.

To the average aeromodeller, construction is not difficult and all parts are detailed full size on the plan. The three-blade prop Is probably the most difficult item to make, but anyone who has carved a two-blade will find it quite as easy. It might be added that the prop used was practically unbreakable, and after crashes into trees and power nose-dives (before correct trimming), the only damage was one slightly split blade. A point which many builders favour is that the propeller is direct drive, no gears are used, or anything which requires soldering.

BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS.
Fuselage. Many types of formers have been tried, and in the following, although heavier than usual, the strength compensates for extra weight. Most of them are out of 3/64 or thin 1/16 three-ply, faced over with odd bits of 1/8 balsa. The others are 1/8 three-ply. They are all cut out with a fret-saw, and all fittings such as brass tubing, wing root spars and rear hook are fitted in position before commencing assembly of fuselage.

As no jig is used the ideal method is for the side and bottom full-length spars to have the former positions accurately marked on them from the plan. Construction is then commenced from the rear by pinning all the formers in position, also adding wing root ribs Nos, 1 and 2 and fin rib No 1.

The framework is then viewed from the ends to check that all three spars line up straight and that there is no down or side thrust at the nose. Another check is to lay the framework on both views of the fuselage on the plan. When satisfied that it is correct all joints should be well cemented and other spars added in a suitable order.

The weight-box can now be built in, also cementing and binding the paper tubes in the wing roots. Sheet is now added where stated and finally the 1/32 by 1/8 stringers, which need not necessarily be the full length provided that the joints do not all come on any one former. As balsa is short, 1/32 substitute can be used for both sheet-covered surfaces and stringers, but the rear half of the fuselage must be as near as possible all balsa, as weight should be kept off the tail end. The nose-cowl is built up to shape from odd pieces of 1/8 and 3/16 balsa..."

The Focke Wulf FW190 by K H Hodgson, written up in the June 1943, Aeromodeller as FSR 129. Apparently the plan drawing was not published in the magazine, and was available only by order.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 01/03/2019: added article, thanks to Brian Cox.

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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