What if

Picture Post => Current and Finished Projects => Aircraft => Topic started by: TomZ on August 07, 2019, 11:10:26 AM

Title: Focke Wulf FW-187D-2 Nachtfalke
Post by: TomZ on August 07, 2019, 11:10:26 AM
Focke Wulf FW-187D-2 Nachtfalke

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airwar1946.nl%2Fwhif%2Fimages%2FFW187-1.JPG&hash=5510e2a6013100427c992ae7f1e231b7ee12f0f2)

When the Focke Wulf FW-187 lost out to the Messerschmitt BF-110 as the heavy fighter for the Luftwaffe the Focke Wulf company looked for other ways to get the type into production.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airwar1946.nl%2Fwhif%2Fimages%2FFW187-2.JPG&hash=dd701aef8ce1184bd49c88e21dd0bdafbb0c11d1)

Their chance came in 1943 when the Luftwaffe was looking for a night fighter. Focke Wulf offered the FW-187D model with DB601 engines and a FuG-220 Lichtenstein radar. The type was ordered into production and a total of 481 were built before the end of the war.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airwar1946.nl%2Fwhif%2Fimages%2FFW187-3.JPG&hash=b32ee9f9a0b3e5a37a4b4010210ebd5ac5f3da16)

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airwar1946.nl%2Fwhif%2Fimages%2FFW187-4.JPG&hash=435c8d5d2666379fddd77f006270378470d11521)

TomZ
http://www.airwar1946.nl/index.htm (http://www.airwar1946.nl/index.htm)
Title: Re: Focke Wulf FW-187D-2 Nachtfalke
Post by: PR19_Kit on August 07, 2019, 12:07:17 PM
Is that REALLY a Whiff?  :o

It looks far too plausible to me.
Title: Re: Focke Wulf FW-187D-2 Nachtfalke
Post by: Dizzyfugu on August 07, 2019, 11:51:08 PM
That's looking good - I just wonder if it is a two-seater? The Fw 187's original cockpit must have been totally cramped, and adding a second crew man PLUS the technical stuff for the radar must have been a great shoehorning feat!  ;)
Title: Re: Focke Wulf FW-187D-2 Nachtfalke
Post by: TomZ on August 08, 2019, 12:08:53 AM
Quote from: Dizzyfugu on August 07, 2019, 11:51:08 PM
I just wonder if it is a two-seater? The Fw 187's original cockpit must have been totally cramped, and adding a second crew man PLUS the technical stuff for the radar must have been a great shoehorning feat!  ;)

This is the two seater version. But good call: In real life a night variant was considered but rejected because of the lack of space for the radar equipment in the second cockpit.

TomZ
Title: Re: Focke Wulf FW-187D-2 Nachtfalke
Post by: AndrewF on August 08, 2019, 01:31:32 AM
Very convincing as usual  <_<
Title: Re: Focke Wulf FW-187D-2 Nachtfalke
Post by: zenrat on August 08, 2019, 03:39:50 AM
That's nice.  Looks good.
Title: Re: Focke Wulf FW-187D-2 Nachtfalke
Post by: NARSES2 on August 08, 2019, 06:20:54 AM
Another beauty  :thumbsup:

I've always liked the 187 ever since I first discovered it in one of William Green's Warplanes of the Second World War "pocket" books. Which I still have and still use as a handy quick reference. Must have had them since the mid sixties ?
Title: Re: Focke Wulf FW-187D-2 Nachtfalke
Post by: PR19_Kit on August 08, 2019, 08:16:18 AM
Quote from: NARSES2 on August 08, 2019, 06:20:54 AM

.......... William Green's Warplanes of the Second World War "pocket" books. Which I still have and still use as a handy quick reference. Must have had them since the mid sixties ?


You and me both, and I have a full set too, very weather beaten by now of course. It's a pity he never finished the series off, only getting 1/3 of the way through the bombers books.
Title: Re: Focke Wulf FW-187D-2 Nachtfalke
Post by: Tophe on August 08, 2019, 08:52:16 AM
Because of the swastika on the tail, I don't feel I am authorized to clap my hands, otherwise I would... Unusual model and very well built/modified...
Title: Re: Focke Wulf FW-187D-2 Nachtfalke
Post by: Hotte on August 08, 2019, 09:53:21 AM
Nice Fw 187  :thumbsup:

Hotte
Title: Re: Focke Wulf FW-187D-2 Nachtfalke
Post by: NARSES2 on August 09, 2019, 06:15:19 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on August 08, 2019, 08:16:18 AM

You and me both, and I have a full set too, very weather beaten by now of course. It's a pity he never finished the series off, only getting 1/3 of the way through the bombers books.

I didn't realise he'd never finished them Kit, but then they were probably useful stocking fillers for mum and dad back in the day  :thumbsup: So I probably discovered girls before I realised they were incomplete  ;D I've got a couple of the WWI books as well.

I still find then very handy for a quick reference for some of the obscure French and Italian projects.
Title: Re: Focke Wulf FW-187D-2 Nachtfalke
Post by: PR19_Kit on August 09, 2019, 06:33:36 AM
I can't get at mine just now to confirm, but he did all the fighters, and then started on the bombers, but got sidetracked onto the flying boats and amphibians. But then didn't do any more bombers, so none of the UK or USA types are in the books.  :banghead:

By now we're over-run with info on them of course, but Green's books are SO handy to sit just by the model bench and not take up too much room.
Title: Re: Focke Wulf FW-187D-2 Nachtfalke
Post by: Glenn Gilbertson on August 09, 2019, 04:31:02 PM
That looks really good & plausible! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Focke Wulf FW-187D-2 Nachtfalke
Post by: dumaniac on August 10, 2019, 06:12:53 AM
I build in 48. I must admit I thought this was an upgraded Hs129 at first glance.  I have a couple of Esci 48 kits - I could extend the cockpit to allow for a second seat, radar in the nose - maybe upgrade the engines from a Me 110. Would look great in black. Thanks for sharing. I recognise that the Hs cockpit was small and cramped but I would not let there truth get in the way of a good what-if.

Bernie