The Focke-Wulf A 38 Möwe (German: "Gull") was an airliner, produced in Germany in the early 1930s. It was a final development of the family of designs that commenced with the A 17 in 1927. The A 38 used the same high-mounted, cantilever wing as the A 29, but mated this to an all-new fuselage design with enclosed seating for ten passengers and three crew. Unlike earlier members of the family, the flight deck was not joined to the cabin, separated now by a lavatory and baggage compartment. The main undercarriage was strengthened and the mainwheels fitted with brakes, while the tailskid was replaced with a tailwheel. All four A 38s were originally fitted with Siemens- or Gnome et Rhône-built Bristol Jupiter engines (although the BMW VI had been offered as an option), but in April 1933, all aircraft were refitted with Siemens Sh 20 powerplants. By mid-1934, they had been relegated to training duties.
| A 38 Möwe | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Airliner |
| Manufacturer | Focke-Wulf |
| Designer | Wilhelm Bansemir |
| First flight | 1931 |
| Primary user | Deutsche Luft Hansa |
| Number built | 4 |
Specifications
editGeneral characteristics
- Crew: three - two pilots and a radio operator
- Capacity: ten passengers
- Length: 15.40 m (50 ft 6 in)
- Wingspan: 20.00 m (65 ft 7 in)
- Height: 5.30 m (17 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 62.5 m2 (673 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 2,700 kg (5,940 lb)
- Gross weight: 4,400 kg (9,680 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Siemens-built Bristol Jupiter VI , 370 kW (500 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 204 km/h (126 mph, 109 kn)
- Range: 750 km (470 mi, 410 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 3,100 m (10,200 ft)
- Rate of climb: 2.1 m/s (420 ft/min)
References
edit
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 395.
- World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 894 Sheet 28.
- "Focke-Wulf A38 "Möwe"". Flight: 843–44. 21 August 1931. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
- German aircraft between 1919-1945