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Nice Photo (eBay) FW 190A
Gentlemen:
Please allow me to offer some conclusions to the thread concerning a derelict Fw 190A bearing unit marking 17 + .
The airplane's [i]Werknummer[i] was definitely 190.01x.0513 and its SKZ was D F + G M. It may have been either an A-2 or an A-3 as I believe both of these subtypes were externally identical. The distinction in designation was due to the model of BMW 801 engine fitted. Apparently on some assembly lines, A-2 and A-3 were produced alternately or were interspersed. Both A-2s and A-3s featured open cooling slots without flaps or "doors" for closure.
The possibility that the [i]Werknummer[i] was 190.01x.5513 (D H + B Q) is understandable but may be ruled out in this case. The Fw 190A-3 190.013.5513 was assigned to 4./JG 2 in North Africa, was lost or damaged, and eventually recovered and broken up at the Zerlegbetrieb Bizerta, Tunisia, in March 1943.
The question of whether open cooling slots or "gills" with flaps is apparently a little more uncertain. The Fw 190A-2 and A-3 were manufactured with cooling slots; it's possible that some were retrofitted with flapped "gills" later. It is clear that cooling "gills" with flaps became standard on the A-4, but perhaps not completely and immediately with commencement of A-4 production. A-4s were manufactured by Focke Wulf as well as several licensees, and it seems possible that one or more assembly lines introduced "gills" only after a few A-4airplanes were made. In any event, it may be said that the cooling flaps were generally characteristic of the A-4 subtype and had been long-established when the A-5 appeared.
If anyone can or will correct me with citation of evidence, I would welcome their comments.
RA
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