Fw 190 Wing Bulges

[pstrany]

Hi;

Some later Fw 190s had a squarish wing bulge on the upper surface over the outer cannon position. Some sources cite this a being for the 30mm cannon sometimes installed in the outer wing positions, but it does appear on 190s with 20mm cannon installed in the wings, and even on the occasional F-8 (see attached picture of NASM F-8). What did these bulges actually accomplish, when did they first appear, and how universal were they in the various models?

Thanks!

Paul

[JohnnyB]

Hi Paul,

never before I've seen this bulges on early even not later versions. But it seems so that it´s for the expansion of outer wing weapons or their maintenance.

Look at this - there you can see also two holders under each wing, maybe mounts for bombs ?

http://blueprintbox.com/details.php?image_id=4140


Regards - Rainer

[Tony Kambic]

In Dietmar Hermann's book on the Long Nose, these bugles are clearly seen on the V55 and V56 ( D-11 ) being wheeled out of the hangar in August 1944. It is said they were for 30mm cannons in the outer wing. It is not clear whether they would be MK 103 or 108, but the bugle may be related to the feed chute.

There is also a reference to the F6 being fitted with MK 103 cannons, but I cannot locate any images of this. It is also that there was difficulty with this design and lengthy delays resulted.

[jarecki71]

Hi


The bulge is caused by external mounting wing guns, MG 151/20 seen in versions Fw 190 A7,A8,S8,A9
Regards
Jarek

[pstrany]

I had thought they may be related to the MG151 as well, but I've found a few (this is a feature that is hard to pick out) photos of A-6s and A-7s fitted with MG151s in the outer panels that do not have these bulges.


Paul

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Paul

These outer wing bulges were to provide clearance for the MK 108 30-mm cannon. They began appearing on the Fw 190 A-7/R2 in early 1944 which was a special version fitted with these heavier caliber weapons in place of the MG 151/20 20-mm cannons. During the course of production of the Fw 190 A-8 these bulges began being a standard factory fitting so as to allow greater flexibility in the weapons installed regardless of whether or not the MK 108 cannons were fitted. This universal wing began appearing by at least July 1944 and was also fitted to the Fw 190 F-8 as you have noted even though this ground-attack type did not mount any outboard weapons. I should also note that sometime in the course of production of the Fw 190 A-8 a universal lower wing bulge began appearing as well as can be seen in this photograph of Fw 190 A-8 "Black <<" (W.Nr. 171 189). The purpose likewise was to allow either the MG 151/20 or MK 108 to be installed.

Horrido!

Leo

[pstrany]

Thank you all for your responses.


Paul