Fw-200 C5 vs C8...

[fauste]

I´m working on the new kit of the Fw-200C; this can be finished as C5 or C8, which were the differences between both versions?
The outer nacelle of the C5, was also wider similar to the Hs-293 equipped C8 version??? and the C5/FK version really exists???

Regards and thank you in advancr

Jose Luis

[Seaplanes]

The FW 200C-8 is simply a FW 200C-5 modified to carry the Hs-293 missile, also called the Kehl IV conversion.
The FW 200C-5 was the final series production variant. The last of 65 C-5 aircraft was delivered in March 1944.

[Günther Ott]

Contrary to what is repeatedly shown for ages in lots of publications, the designation Fw 200 C-8 was by no means linked to Kehl IV operations with Hs 293. It was applied to late production aircraft as of W.Nr. 0223 having a D30/131 armament in the B-(rear dorsal) turret and an extra 540 ltrs. ventral fuel tank for long-range reconaissance. All Kehl IV conversions were to be designated C-5/FK irrespective of having been produced originally as C-4, C-5, C-6, C-7 or C-8 models.

Regrettably, by ignorance of a consultant, Revell has failed to reflect this and some other items properly in their new Fw 200 kit.

[Seaplanes]

Dear Gunther, I would be the last person on this planet to start an argument with you about the FW 200. However, there are a few things that puzzel me. In all the RLM production charts for the years 1940 - 1944, the only models listed are the C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4 and C-5. How can three further models be completely omitted from the charts and monthly reports ?? I was under the impression that the relatively large Kehl IV conversion programme included the basic models C-3, C-4 and C-5 that after conversion became C-6, C-7 and C-8 respectively.
Can you throw some light onto this.

[ArtieBob]

I agree with Seaplanes as the C-Amt Monatsmeldung indicates the last Neubau Fw 200s were C-5s (65 accepted) with the Kehl IV Umbau being Performed at DWF (84 being completed by April 1944).

Best Regards,

Artie Bob

[Günther Ott]

There is no discrepancy to C-Amt Monatsmeldung or GL/C Flugzeugprogramm and any of my statements.

It is absolutely correct that 65 Fw 200 C-5s were procured and accepted. C-5 differed from C-4 models only by an improved defensive armament, basic protoype being C-4 W.Nr. 0114. Subsequently C-6, C-7 and C-8 were originating from C-5 series as of W.Nr. 201, but differed again by armament modifications (and the C-8 with increased fuel capacity), but hardly to be identified externally.

It is also correct that the conversion for Kehl IV operations was to be performed by Dornier - contracted by DWF (which is Dornier Friedrichshafen) but actually done at Schwäbisch-Hall on a grand total of 87 out of the 100 originally on order.

This conversion was performed as of October 1943 in parallel to the series production ending at Cottbus in February 1944 (with the last delivered in March). Consequently Fw 200s already operational with 3. and III./K.G. 40 in Norway and France were ferried to Schwäbisch-Hall as well as new deliveries from Cottbus. This included all models of Fw 200 C-4 and up. There is no basis for any assumption that C-3, C-4 and C-5 became C-6, C-7 and C-8 respectively after Kehl conversion. C-3s were excluded anyhow and a conversion of this model, intended earlier for Kehl III operations as Fw 200 C-3/U7, did not materialize. Since all converted Fw 200s were equipped identically, the designation Fw 200 C-5/FK (FK for Flugkörper) was adopted for them all.

Also to take this up: Since there was no Fw 200 C-8/U1 to C-8/U9 there could not have been any C-8/U10, which is frequently linked in literature with Kehl/Hs293 conversions. It's just pure imagination of authors or those who copied it again and again. But unfortunately - as we all know - this does not apply only to the history of the Fw 200

[Seaplanes]

Thank you for an excellent answer Günther. I agree with you completely. There are too much wrong information out there, particulary in my special field of Luftwaffe seaplanes, but I am sure this applies for many of the "lesser" known aircraft as well.