INDIVIDUAL HISTORY FOCKE WULF FW190 F-8/U1 W/NR.584219/AIR MINISTRY 29/8470M MUSEUM ACCESSION NUMBER 1990/0696/A
1944 Built, probably by Arado plant at Warnemünde, as a standard
F-8 single seat variant.
Late 1944 Converted from single to tandem two seat standard by R Sochor Fabrik at Blanz-Blansko in Poland, as indicated by the manufacturers' code `HRZ' on the data plate - Photo: Aeroplane Monthly March 1976 p.153. In the 1980s the date 10/11/44 was found on the bulkhead at the rear of the second cockpit.
Some 20 FW190 2-seaters were produced, mainly through field conversions from single-seaters, and used as conversion trainers for Ju87 pilots and as high-speed liaison aircraft.
May 45 Surrendered at Grove airfield, Denmark, coded `Black 38' - unit possibly Jagdfliegerschule 103.
A second FW190 F-8/U1, W/Nr 580058 was captured in Denmark and allotted Air Min 36 but not apparently delivered to the UK.
02 Sep 45 Ferried from the collection centre at Fliegerhorst Schleswig, Germany via Gilze-Rijen to RAE Farnborough by Flt Lt Lawson.
05 Sep 45 Flown to No.6 MU Brize Norton for storage by Lt Cdr E M `Winkle' Brown. Probably not actually test flown in the UK.
Mar 46 Recorded on home census.
May 46 Selected for preservation by the Air Historical Branch.
17 Jul 46 To No.76 MU Wroughton for Museum storage.
1946 With the closure of No.76 MU later that year the aircraft may have gone to No.47 MU Sealand alongside other Axis aircraft.
1949 Recorded at the German Air Force Equipment Centre at RAF Stanmore Park, Middlesex by this date carrying data plate in front cockpit with legend FW190-9026-Z06. (Air Pictorial Jan 54 p.184).
Late 1955 To No.15 MU Wroughton, Wilts for storage with rest of AHB collection.
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Sep 56 Displayed at RAF Little Rissington Battle of Britain Day. Photo: Air Pictorial Dec 56 p.421. Still carried Luftwaffe colour scheme, RAF roundels and fin flashes and `Air Ministry 29' on rear port fuselage. A second photo, possibly on some occasion, from the starboard side shows RAF markings over Luftwaffe colour scheme with figure `29' only painted on fuselage decking - see the Focke Wulf FW190 Swanborough/Green (DoRIS Ref.006228) p.132.
c.Mid 1958 To Air Historical Branch store at RAF Fulbeck, Lincs.
Sep 60 Displayed at RAF Finningley, Yorks Battle of Britain Open Day Display (Northern Aero News Nov 60 p.70) Photo: Airfix Magazine Feb 61 p.424.
c.1961 To RAF Henlow, Beds. Photo: Airfix Magazine Dec 66 p.143. Had arrived by 24 Feb 61 - Air Britain Digest May 61 p.56.
Sep 64 Displayed at RAF Gaydon, Warwickshire Battle of Britain Display.
c.Sep 1970 Moved from Henlow to RAF St Athan to join the Historic Aircraft Collection, and displayed at that years' Battle of Britain Display. For 3-view of aircraft at this time - but shown with heavier framed rear canopy than that carried since 1956 at least - see the FW 190 - A Famous German Fighter. Nowarra (Ed) (003656) p.182. Colour photo as of 18 September 1971 – War prizes – The Album p.107.
1972 Volunteers commenced 18-month refurbishment and repainting. Photos post restoration, again as `Black 38 - Aviation News 19 Feb - 3 Mar 88 p.918; Aircraft and Legend - Fw190 and Ta 152 (023555) p.105; Aeroplane Monthly March 1976 p.152. Restoration found the aircraft to be complete and in good order, with fuel still in the tanks. Allocated maintenance serial 8470M c.1976 whilst at St Athan.
1973
Displayed at RAF Chivenor. Photos: Airfix Magazine Nov 1973 p.142-4
13 Feb 76 Allotted RAF Maintenance Serial 8470M.
Aug 84 BMW 801 D-2 engine rebuilt to ground-running condition; the engine fired at the first attempt and was then regularly run at open days. Photos: War Prizes (027726) p.155; Wrecks and Relics 11th edition p.186; FlyPast Nov 84 p.39; Aeroplane Monthly Oct 84 p.547; Friends of The Manchester Air & Space Museum Sep 84; Flypast August 2006 p.29.
30 Nov 89 Delivered to RAFM Hendon following closure and dispersal of the St Athan regional collection. Remains on display at the Bomber Command Hall, painted in the markings of 1/JG54. Photos: FlyPast Feb 90 p.28; Scale Models International May 1990 p.214; Supplement to Aeroplane April 2001 p.36; Flypast August 2006 p.29.
TEXT - ANDREW SIMPSON