Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger

There are several Fw 190-type aircraft represented in the Museum’s collection, ranging from original airframes awaiting restoration to modern built replicas used for regular flying demonstrations. Each aircraft shares a fearsome legacy as one of the best fighter aircraft of WWII. Held in high esteem by many Luftwaffe pilots, some loved it for its firepower, far greater than that of the Bf 109; others loved its improved performance and low to medium altitude. 

Used as a day fighter, fighter-bomber, ground-attack aircraft and night fighter, the Fw 190 was active throughout Europe. One of the Museum’s original aircraft, known as Blue 4 was recovered off Norway. Originally built at Oschersleben in the summer of 1944, the aircraft was lost while under the command of Leutnant Rudi Linz. Linz had just scored his 70th aerial victory. The aircraft was recovered from the water and is assembled for display purposes. 

Also present in the collection are a pair of modern built Flug Werk replica aircraft, one configured as an Fw 190A-8 and the other as a “long nosed” Fw 190D-9. Original Doras, as they were known, featured a liquid cooled Jumo 213A-1 engine and the aircraft were equipped with an annular radiator installed ahead of the engine which captured cool air moving past the propeller spinner. 

The museum’s Dora is painted as “Black 12” of 10./JG54 flown by Leutnant Theo Nibel. On January 1, 1945, Lt. Nibel was participating in Operation Baseplate. He was flying with 64 Fw 190D-9s following Junkers Ju 88 guide aircraft to Grimbergen, Belgium.  During the attack, he was forced to make a belly landing in a nearby field when a bird strike impacted the radiator. The British captured Nibel, and his aircraft was the first intact Fw 190D-9 to fall into Allied hands.