The Focke-Wulf W187 was produced by Germany late in WW2 and only nine were built, although its performance was regarded by some commentators as outstanding. What is remarkable (from the long historical perspective of 2020) is how similar the aircraft is in general layout, appearance and performance to the highly successful De Havilland Mosquito.
Indeed, it seems that German engineers must have studied the Mosquito formula, which was to couple a light and strong airframe to a pair of extremely powerful and well-tried engines to produce an aircraft that could excel as a fighter, a fast tactical bomber and in numerous other roles. However, the FW187 was developed too late in the war to make a significant contribution to the German war effort - an outcome which appears to this observer to be extremely fortunate for the Allied cause. (Martin Corrick, 30 October 2020.)
zhaoman, 18.06.2011 06:45
yes they were in norway, yes they defended the FW factory...how is the luftwaffe going to keep a rare plane in service with all the chaos in 1945?
ian, 04.05.2011 22:42
RAF Flying Review May 1957: In the summer of 1940, the 3 fighters were employed for the protection of Focke-Wulf's Bremen factory, being flown by the companys test pilots who claimed several kills. In the winter of 1940-41, the 3 fighters were unofficially "loaned" to a Luftwaffe Jagdgeschwader based in Norway. The pilots were delighted with the machines but immediately the RLM learned of their illicit use the Falke fighters were withdrawn. In 1943 the 3 Fw 187A-0s were returned to Focke-Wulf's Bremen plant for complete overhauls, and they were subsequently used as test-beds for the new Ta 154 night fighter - a sad ending to the career of a promising fighter.
Francis Maigné, e-mail, 22.12.2009 12:21
Fw 187 Falke V 1 : Bimoteur de chasse lourde, monoplace dans un habticacle vitré, verrière s'ouvrant par basculement vers l'avant sur le som met du pare-brise, mono plan voilure basse cantilever, monodérive, empennage horizontal classique cantilever, train d'atterrissage esca motable, vers l'arrière dans les fuseaux moteurs, roulette de queue rétractable. Construction entièrement métallique. 2 moteurs de 12 cylindres en V inversé Junkers Jumo 210Da de 2 x 630 cv, (1260 cv), montés au bord d'attaque de la voilure, hélices tripales métalliques Junkers-Hamilton à pas varia ble, E: 15,30 m, L: 11,10 m, H: 3,85 m, Sa: 30,40 m²,Vm: 525 Kmh, 2 mt MG 17 de 7,92 mm, de chaque côté de l'habita cle. 1937, 1er prototype, D-AANA, Détruit accidentellement le 14/05/1938. V 2 : 2ème prototype, biplace en tandem. Identique au V-1 avec 2 moteurs de 12 cylindres en V inversé Junkers Jumo 210G de 2 x 680 cv, (1360 cv), hélices tripales métalliques VDM à pas variable, 6 mt MG 17 de 7,92 mm. Eté 1937, D-ORHP. V 3 : 3ème prototype. Version biplace d'interdiction, fuselage remodelé et nacelles moteurs redessinées, 2 canons MG FF de 20 mm. Printemps 1938. V-4, V-5 et V-6 : Identiques au V-2, avec moteurs Junkers Jumo 210G, sauf le V-6 équipé de 2 moteurs de 12 cylindres en V inversés Daimler-Benz DB 600A de 2 x 1075 cv, (2150 cv), Vm: 630 Kmh. Eté 1939. A 0 : Version de présérie. 2 moteurs de 12 cylindres en V inversé Junkers Jumo 210G de 2 x 680 cv, (1360 cv), hélices tripa les métalliques VDM à pas variable, E: 15,30 m, L: 11,10 m, H: 3,85 m, Sa: 30,40 m², Pv: 3700 Kg, Ptc: 5000 Kg, C/a: 164,473 Kg /m², P/p: 3,676 Kg/cv, Vm: 525 Kmh à 4000 m, Vasc: 2000 m en 1 mn 54, 6000 m en 5 mn 48, Pl: 10000 m, Armement: 4 mt MG 17 de 7,92 m/m et 2 canons de 20 m/m. 3 exemplaires. Production totale: 9 exemplaires.
stephenlangks, e-mail, 24.01.2009 06:02
thats what i said petty biases by goring & the luftwaffe to messerschmitt cost them
stephen h edwards, e-mail, 25.11.2008 21:27
yes they were in norway, yes they defended the FW factory...how is the luftwaffe going to keep a rare plane in service with all the chaos in 1945?
Les, e-mail, 29.09.2008 21:05
The 187 was in Norway. The pilots who used it loved it. It was far better than 110,210 or 410. We can once agan thank the R.L.M. for its stupidity. The 3 187s were used for defense.
Isaac, e-mail, 05.06.2008 01:19
I've heard that this plane protected the Focke-Wulf factory.
rainer franke, e-mail, 21.05.2008 12:39
some technical informations : max speed was 529 km/h - empty weight 3700 kg - max. weight 5000 kg . armament was 2 - 20mm canons , 4 - 7,9mm machine-guns
fardiansyah_irawan, e-mail, 30.03.2008 10:41
nice plane from the look,how many was it being built? if they focus on german mightbe win the war
gerald, e-mail, 18.03.2008 15:08
willam Green wote that 3 were loaned to a unit in norway but were made to give them back Top speed 326 mph but one in 1939 reach 390mph Fw 187v6
Karl, 20.02.2008 17:47
The only data I have was this was used to defend the factories in local defense flights. I can't comment on it ever being in Norway.
BRI'AN, 16.10.2007 05:25
DANKE!
STEVEN, e-mail, 29.04.2007 15:14
HELLO,I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS PLANE ( FW 187 FALKE ) WAS STILL IN ACTIVE SQUADRON IN NORWAY BY GERMANY SURRENDER ON MAY 8 1945 IS TRUE OR NOT ?
STEVEN, e-mail, 29.04.2007 15:13
HELLO,I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS PLANE ( FW 187 FALKE ) WAS STILL IN ACTIVE SQUADRON IN NORWAY BY GERMANY SURRENDER ON MAY 8 1945 IS TRUE OR NOT ?
