Focke-Wulf Fw-44 Stieglitz

The development of the Fw.44 with the Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau started in 1931, and the Fw 44A prototype first flew in the summer of 1932 powered by Argus As-8 in line engine which was replaced by the Siemens-Haiske Sh 14a radial engine in the production aircraft. Aerobatic champion Gerd Achgelis conducted the maiden flight of the Fw 44 Stieglitz (goldfinch) trainer late summer 1932.

In its basic form the type had severe handling problems, and these were eradicated by the newly arrived Kurt Tank in an intensive development programme that turned the Stieglitz into a superb aerobatic machine.

In addition to export orders from Bolivia, Chile, China, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Romania, Switzerland and Turkey, the Fw 44 was built under licence in Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria and Sweden (85 designated Sk-12).

The major operator was the Luftwaffe with the Fw 44B using the 109-kW (135-hp) Argus As 8 inline, followed by the Fw 44C that reverted to the Sh 144. Variants of the Fw 44C with detail improvements were the Fw 44D, F and Fw 44J.

The Sk 12 Swedish license built Focke Wulf Fw 44J was first delivered to the Swedish Air Force Flying School in 1938.

Fw 44A
Engine: Sh 144, 112kW (150hp)
Span: 9m (29ft 6.25in)
Length: 7.3m (23ft 11.5 in)
Armament: none
Max TO weight: 900 kg (1,984 lb)
Max speed: 115 mph at sea level
Operational range: 419 miles.

Fw 44B
Engine: Argus As 8, 109-kW (135-hp)

Fw 44C
Engine: Argus Aces 10C, 240 hp
Prop: two-blade fixed pitch 2,80 m diameter
Wimgspan: 17,76 m
Length: 10,57 m
Height: 3,04 m
Wing area: 35,00sq.m
Empty weight: 1065 kg
MTOW: 1580 kg
Fuel: 2 x 75 lt
Vmax: 191 Kmh
Vcruise: 175 km/h
ROC: 1000 m in 4 min
Ceiling: 5000 m
Range: 640 km

Fw 44D
Engine: Argus Ace 10D or E, 270 hp
Prop: two-blade fixed pitch 2,80 m diameter
Wingspan: 17,76 m
Length: 10,57 m
Height: 3,04 m
Wingarea: 35,00 sq.m
Empty weight: 1095 kg
MTOW: 1475 kg
Fuel: 2xX 75 lt

Fw 44E
Engine: Argus Ace 10D or E, 270 hp
Prop: two-blade fixed pitch 2,80 m diameter
Wingspan: 17,76 m
Length: 10,57 m
Height: 3,04 m
Wingarea: 35,00 sq.m
Empty weight: 1095 kg
MTOW: 1475 kg
Fuel: 2xX 75 lt

Fw 44F

Fw 44J