Fw 187 Falke

Germany, perhaps more so that other nations, seemed to develop an aircraft and then abandon the project in mid-stride. The Fw187 Falke was an outstanding example of this, and its case is even more incredulous because it was a surprisingly good fighter! Although it was never put into full production, it was a superb foundation for later twin engined German fighters. The first model Fw 187 (this would be about 1937) was 50mph faster than the Bf 109 prototype which had the same engine, despite the fact that the Fw187 weighed almost twice as much and had twice the range. Later the V3 adopted a twin seat cockpit and this version of the Fw187 was much more accomodating for the crew. During this stage of development, the Fw187 was dubbed a zerstorer, or Destroyer (heavy fighter), and they were given heavier armament than other aircraft of the time. Still, there was no inclination that Germany would put the Fw187 into full production, and the Falkes built were mostly used for testing. Only three A-0 model Falkes ever saw action, and they supposedly scored several kills in 1940. These three were then loaned to a Jagdstaffel in Norway that flew Me110s, and they reported that the Fw187s were a greatly superior aircraft. However, when Germany found out about this the Fw187s were taken away instantly, and development was ordered ceased. Actually, the Nazi Government was shooting itself in the foot by recalling the Fw187s and ordering the development ceased. Had it continued, Germany would have had a top class fighter far superior to the Me110. The reasons for Nazi Germany's loathing of the Fw187 is still not fully known.


	The Internet Museum of World War II Aviation \| home Germany \| Arado Ar 68 \| Arado Ar 234 \| Bachem Ba 349 \| BV40 \| BV 155 \| Dornier Do 335 \| Fw 187 Falke \| Fw 189 Uhu \| Fw 190 \| Fw Ta 152 \| Fw Ta 154 \| Heinkel He 51 \| Heinkel 100 \| Heinkel 112 \| Heinkel 113 \| Heinkel 162 \| Heinkel 219 \| Heinkel 280 \| Henschel 123 \| Junkers Ju88 \| Junkers Ju388 \| Bf 109 \| Bf 110 \| Me 210 \| Me 410 \| Me 163 Komet \| Me 262 \| Me 263 \| Me 328 Fw 187 Falke Germany, perhaps more so that other nations, seemed to develop an aircraft and then abandon the project in mid-stride. The Fw187 Falke was an outstanding example of this, and its case is even more incredulous because it was a surprisingly good fighter! Although it was never put into full production, it was a superb foundation for later twin engined German fighters. The first model Fw 187 (this would be about 1937) was 50mph faster than the Bf 109 prototype which had the same engine, despite the fact that the Fw187 weighed almost twice as much and had twice the range. Later the V3 adopted a twin seat cockpit and this version of the Fw187 was much more accomodating for the crew. During this stage of development, the Fw187 was dubbed a zerstorer, or Destroyer (heavy fighter), and they were given heavier armament than other aircraft of the time. Still, there was no inclination that Germany would put the Fw187 into full production, and the Falkes built were mostly used for testing. Only three A-0 model Falkes ever saw action, and they supposedly scored several kills in 1940. These three were then loaned to a Jagdstaffel in Norway that flew Me110s, and they reported that the Fw187s were a greatly superior aircraft. However, when Germany found out about this the Fw187s were taken away instantly, and development was ordered ceased. Actually, the Nazi Government was shooting itself in the foot by recalling the Fw187s and ordering the development ceased. Had it continued, Germany would have had a top class fighter far superior to the Me110. The reasons for Nazi Germany's loathing of the Fw187 is still not fully known.