Multi-talented...
The Focke-Wulf Fw 58 Weihe (Harrier)
From original to model
The more than 1,000 scale models, primarily of the international standards 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32, are an independent part of the collections of the Hannover-Laatzen Aviation Museum.
Such true-to-original miniatures allow viewers of museum technology history to gain an ‘overview’, not only of the individual exhibit (sometimes even as the only possibility of a real three-dimensional display if there is no surviving original), but also of lines of development in aircraft construction by means of possible sequencing and juxtaposition. Sometimes they even close gaps in the presentation of the originals. The quality of their craftsmanship alone is a pleasure to behold.
Today we are presenting a real all-rounder in our ‘Model of the Month’: The Focke- Wulf Fw 58 ‘Weihe’ (Harrier). From passenger and cargo transport to combat missions, from advanced to specialised training of student pilots or for patrol and survey flights - the twin-engine model from the aircraft manufacturer located in Bremen proved successful in all roles.
The Aviation Museum presents various civilian and military versions of the type in 1/72 scale in its model showcases.
(And in its halls, by the way, two originals of Focke-Wulf aircraft construction: the globally successful sports and training aircraft Fw 44 ‘Stieglitz’ and the legendary fighter aircraft Fw 190 in the A-8 version...)
The models: sideline & niche
The really big modellers have lost sight of the type so far, but all versions of the aircraft are available in 1/72 from internationally renowned second-line companies to dedicated small-series manufacturers in the much-cited niche. Over the last few decades, kits have been offered in Germany by MPM, Special Hobby and the small series manufacturer KARO-AS; there was also a VACU kit from Intermodel. Experience has shown that kits in this ‘niche’ require inclination, experience and advanced skills to achieve an optimum result - the reward is a rare model and a document of one's own skills. Examples of this are our exhibits at the consecration in Hall 2.
The original: multi-talented aircraft from the river Weser
In August 1933, as part of Germany's rearmament programme, the Reich Aviation Ministry (RLM) issued a call for tenders for a twin-engine training and multi-purpose aircraft in the designed as a multi-seat low-wing aircraft in metal construction with retractable landing gear. The companies Arado, Potsdam and Focke-Wulf, Bremen were awarded development contracts. On 18 January 1935, the prototype of the Focke-Wulf Fw 58 took off from the ground and prevailed against the Arado Ar 77 in the subsequent comparison. Designed by Paul Klages and Andreas von Faehlmann under the direction of Prof. Kurt Tank, the entire testing of the prototype aircraft went without a hitch.
A ‘consecration’ of version B, here still as a V-type with civilian identification, but already fully equipped for military weapons training for bomber crews. The miniature was built by Karl Kössler, former head of the Federal Aviation Office of Germany.
Subsequently, the type christened ‘Weihe’ by the company became the standard Luftwaffe aircraft for advanced training on multi-engine mission types, instrument flying, radio and navigation training, reconnaissance, sea rescue, weather, photography and surveying and, most importantly, training bomber crews.
At the same time, Lufthansa took over several aircraft for the cargo/mail and passenger service (here with up to 6 passengers) as well as for photo flights.
In wartime operations from 1939, the Fw 58 served as a staff, liaison and light transport aircraft as well as in the medical service in the wings; from the turn of the year 1942/43, finally, in the newly established night battle groups as a light combat aircraft for disruptive attacks.
The struts between the front fuselage and engine nacelles made the aircraft remarkably stable. The emblem of Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau GmbH on the nose.
Extremely robust and reliable, as well as good-natured in flight, it was a favourite with crews in every application. After the prototype aircraft, the A, B and C series were produced as the main versions, differentiated according to equipment, wheeled undercarriage or twin floats and glazed or fixed fuselage nose. Two Argus As 10 C or Hirth HM 508D engines were installed, both air-cooled 8-cylinder in-line engines.
An interesting feature - as already introduced on the Fw 56 ‘Stösser’ - was the position of the tailplane on the fuselage in front of the vertical stabiliser to increase flight stability.
Worldwide
From September 1936 to August 1942, a total of almost 1,700 Weihe models were produced, which proved themselves in all types of use and areas:
Brazil produced at least 25 of the Fw 58 under licence (and the last restored original is in the museum there); exports went to Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Argentina, Turkey, Slovakia and Sweden, where the last examples were only taken out of service in 1960.
Data sheet for the Focke-Wulf Fw 58 C-2
Crew: up to 4, length: 14 m, wingspan: 21.05 m, take-off weight: 3,500 kg, top speed: 260 km/h, flight duration: approx. 5 h, range: approx. 900 km, engine: 2 x Argus AS 10 C with 240 hp each.
Have we managed to arouse your curiosity about our collections with over 40 originals and faithful replicas, just as many engines and hundreds of items of equipment as well as our model collection? Then we look forward to your visit to Ulmer Straße 2 at the Hannover Exhibition Centre: See you there!
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You can contact the author of the Model of the Month series here: Autor-MdM