BMW 801 TU

[Leo Etgen]

Hi guys

It is my understanding that the BMW 801 TU was supposed to begin replacing the BMW 801 D-2 in June/July 1944. This power plant was basically a BMW 801 D-2 engine fitted with the oil cooler of the BMW 801 F and the oil tank of the BMW 801 D and TH. It was delivered with a cowling in which nose armor was increased to 10 millimeters and oil tank armor was increased to six millimeters. Power output was identical to the BMW 801 D-2 although the weight increased by 60 kilograms compared to the earlier setup. Erhöhte Notleistung could be used as with the BMW 801 D-2 and the designation of the Fw 190 A-8 and F-8 did not change if the BMW 801 TU was installed. My question is if there is anyway of identifying if possible aircraft that were fitted with this power plant such as by werknummer block or are we left to judge only by careful studying of existing photographs and attempting to discern if the 14-bladed cooling fan which was normal for these machines as well as the thicker armor is present? Compounding the difficulties is the fact that many aircraft fitted with the TU and TS power plants that were supposed to be fitted with the 14 bladed cooling fan reverted to the earlier 12 bladed cooling fan as it was found to be more efficient. Any informed thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

Horrido!

Leo

[Leo Etgen]

Hi guys

I just noticed that Claes Sundin has posted a color profile of Fw 190 A-8 "White 15" (W.Nr. 739 136) of 5./JG 4 flown by Oberleutnant Anatol Rebane who defected to Bullfofta in Sweden with this machine on 30 April 1945 at http://luftwaffeinprofile.se/Anatol%20Rebane.html. What is interesting is that it appears that this aircraft was fitted with the auxiliary fuel tank in the rear fuselage yet was not fitted with the ETC 501 rank. I have read that when the auxiliary tank was fitted it was necessary to equip the fighter with the ETC 501 rank as well in order to maintain the center of gravity. However, due to the fact that the BMW 801 TU was heavier than the standard set up with the BMW 801 D-2 when this particular power plant was fitted it did away with the need to include the ETC 501 rack. Therefore, it may well be that this particular fighter was powered by the BMW 801 TU. I should point out that it is possible that my information may be in error and/or this aircraft was fitted with an ETC 501 rack but that it had been removed prior to the photographs being taken.







Any comments or corrections will be appreciated.

Horrido!

Leo