The Stosser (hawk) was the first Focke-Wulf design undertaken by Kurt Tank, and resulted for a German requirement for an advanced trainer with the As 100 engine. The resultant Fw 56 prototype that flew in November 1933 was a parasol-winged aeroplane of mixed construction with cantilever main landing gear units powered by a 179kW Argus As. 10C engine: two more prototypes followed. The V2 prototype had a modified undercarriage and metal wing. The V3 prototype had a further modified undercarriage, similar to the V1, first flying in 1934.

Three Fw 56 A-0 were built with various modifications to the aerofoil. Two MT MG 17 of 7,92 m/m were fitted and provision for 3 bombs of 10 kg.

In the summer of 1935 the Stosser was selected in preference to the Arado Ar 76 and Heinkel He 74, so three Fw 56A-0 pre-production and about 900 Fw 56A-1 production aircraft followed up to the end of production in 1940. These were extensively used as advanced trainers in fighter schools, though after trials that helped to validate the concept of dive-bombing the type was also used in dive-bomber schools. Austria ordered the type before its annexation by Germany, and 12 Stossers were also delivered to Hungary.

Fw 56 V1
Engine: Argus As 10C, 240 hp
Prop: 2 blade fixed pitch
Seats: 2
1 prototype

Fw 56 V2
1 prototype

Fw 56 V3
1 prototype

Fw 56 A-0
Armament: 2 MT MG 17 7,92 mm /  3 bombs 10 kg

Fw 56 A-1 Stosser
Engine: Argus Aces 10c, 240 hp / 179kW
Prop: two-bladed variable pitch
Wingspan: 10,50 m (34ft 5.5 in)
Length: 7,70 m (25ft3in).
Height: 3,55 m
Wingarea: 150.696 sq.ft / 14 sq.m
Empty weight; 695 kg
MTOW: 995 kg
Max. payload weight : 145.5 lb / 66.0 kg
Fuel capacity: 22 gal / 84 l
Vmax: 173 mph / 278 kph @ SL
Landing speed: 49 kt / 90 km/h
Cruising speed : 132 kt / 245 km/h
Take off distance: 551 ft / 168 m
Initial climb rate : 1496.06 ft/min / 7.6 m/s
Service ceiling : 20341 ft / 6200 m
Range: 400 km / 249 miles
Crew: 1
Armament: 1 or 2 Mg 17, 7,92mm plus provision for 3 x 10-kg (22-lb) bombs carried externally.