Fw 190 VDM propeller blade types

[Jerry Crandall]

Here's one that's interesting. A short nose(A-2, A-3, A-4) Fw 190 with the appropriate flat gun cowl, a late W.Nr. ,late outline markings, late wheels and late gear doors. The prop is VDM 9-12153 A with external weights. Also no outboard cannons.
Cheers, Jerry

[Leo Etgen]

Hello

I have to say that I am somewhat doubtful that the VDM 9-12153 A had to do if the auxiliary tank was fitted or not. According to Technical Description No. 284 the Fw 190 A-8 had provision for a 115 liter auxiliary fuel tank and all aircraft were to be delivered with this installed after August 1944 or September 1944. This additional fuselage tank necessitated the ETC 501 rack being moved forward about 200 mm. Nothing is mentioned about the need for this specific propeller and overall I have seen only a limited number of photographs of aircraft fitted with it. Examples include Fw 190 A-8 "Black 13" (W.Nr. 170 346) of Stab/JG 26 flown by Oberstleutnant Josef Priller that did not have the ETC 501 rack nor any fuel stencil indicating that the auxiliary fuel tank was fitted and Fw 190 A-8 "Blue 13" of 12./JG 5 that did have the ETC 501 rack fitted.

Horrido!

Leo

[Jerry Crandall]

Hello Leo,
Yes, I agree with you. How can we be in touch?
Cheers, Jerry

[Leo Etgen]

Hi Jerry

Thanks! Please send me your e-mail through Private Message and we can continue in touch!

Horrido!

Leo

[Milos Gazdic]

Originally Posted by Jerry Crandall

Here's one that's interesting. A short nose(A-2, A-3, A-4) Fw 190 with the appropriate flat gun cowl, a late W.Nr. ,late outline markings, late wheels and late gear doors. The prop is VDM 9-12153 A with external weights. Also no outboard cannons.

Hey Jerry, Do you have a photo of this aircraft? Or was it by any chance published anywhere? I would love to see that thing. I love the early models brought to later standards... like that A-3 that had both early and late model antenna mast on the tail...

Leo & Jerry, my question about the tank & wooden props - was there just to confirm my speculation that various props were attached to the aircraft with & without the tanks installed.

Also - was the rack moved forward in order to contra balance the tank or simply to allow access to the tank's hatch?

Best,
Milos

[Leo Etgen]

Hi Milos

I agree with you that the various propellers could be fitted irrespective whether the auxiliary tank was fitted or not. For example, Fw 190 A-7 "Red 23" of the Gruppenstab of II./JG 1 flown by Oberfeldwebel Leo Schumacher was fitted with the broad wooden propeller and this subtype did not have provision for the auxiliary fuel tank. I will admit that I really am not clear if the ETC 501 rack was moved forward for center of gravity reasons or to provide clearance for the access panel. The ETC 501 rack was always in the forward position regardless if the auxiliary fuel tank was fitted or not so perhaps it was there to provide clearance. Apparently, the auxiliary fuel tank and its fittings weighed 30 kg and its fuel load 90 kg. I should also mention that it appears there were two types of auxiliary fuel tanks, a self-sealing type and later a non self-sealing type.

Horrido!

Leo

[ClinA-78]

I have noticed also a Ju 88 R-2 equipped with counterweight

This topic still doesn't answer why propeller counterweights appear also on 88's...

ClinA-78

[Roger Gaemperle]

I have an explanation (based on an original VDM wartime document) and wartime drawing in my book Captured Eagles, Vol. 1.

Am not at home and don't have a copy with me right now.

[Jerry Crandall]

Hello Milos,
The photo of the interesting Fw 190 I mentioned is on page 9 of our Wings of the Black Cross number 1.
Cheers, Jerry

[Milos Gazdic]

Thanks a lot Jerry! Will have to order a pack of WotBC - since I have most of them (got only few issues) during my years of "absence from aviation". I spoke with Judy about this already...