Flug Werk FW190A-8/N Production & Progress Questions

[JDK]

Over the time I've been writing about warbirds, I've noticed that most replica production runs take a lot longer at the late stage of build and the later development after the first flights that one expects from newly restored examples of established types.

Some of that is the new type factor, redoubled, perhaps. There's also issues of company learning curves perhaps, aside from any quality issues.

Can anyone think of any warbird replica batches that have sailed through the certification and flight process?

[CAPFlyer]

For that fact, can anyone remember ANY non-large manufacturer built aircraft sailing through certification?

I can think of several aircraft that had problems with certification and it lead the the demise of one due to the delays and several others are still hanging on the ragged edge for the same reason, and these are moderately sized manufacturers, but they don't have the ability to throw cubic feet of money and hundreds of people at the certification process.

[JDK]

For that fact, can anyone remember ANY non-large manufacturer built aircraft sailing through certification?

Good point!

[warbirdfinder]

Having known both Jay Thinnes and Claus Colling for a number of years, I can say without reservation that Claus is an honest and extremely hardworking and pasionate individual who has spent a good portion of his life bring back the Fw-190.
The website of Thinnes, "FlugWreck" was created by him to strike back at Flug Werks, it is not worth reading as what is said is BS.

[Fouga23]

Having known both Jay Thinnes and Claus Colling for a number of years, I can say without reservation that Claus is an honest and extremely hardworking and pasionate individual who has spent a good portion of his life bring back the Fw-190.
The website of Thinnes, "FlugWreck" was created by him to strike back at Flug Werks, it is not worth reading as what is said is BS.

Indeed, all his talk about Claus's "ego" made me get a bad taste in my mouth. I have corresponded with Claus a number of times over the years about his Fouga Magister. He was (and is) always very kind and helpful to me, even though I am only a little warbird enthusiast and he is a very busy man!

[bdk]

With all these "kits" having been delivered I am very curious as to what is delaying progress? Are there just small problems that have to be worked out (as in any aircraft being put together)? Or structural and design problems that are forcing rework and redesign? What is the overall quality of the work that was done? Fit and finish of panels, rivet quality ect? I have not had the opportunity to see a Flug Werk airframe up close, I would appreciate any observations from WIX members.

I just had the opportunity to look at one of these aircraft. In my opinion the quality is very good- the workmanship is fantastic.

However, the kits as delivered were not complete. Some of the original German systems don't lend themselves well to reproduction- the annular oil cooler and air outlet scheme, oil tank, cooling fan gearbox and some landing gear system components for instance, and not enough gear actuator/downlock components were provided to allow the aircraft to even sit on the gear. In light of the above oil cooler system issues Flugwerk also did some firewall forward changes from the original design which seem a bit odd (their oil cooler scheme might not work well in the warmer climates). The Russian engine intended for these kits, although apparently quite good, is difficult to support in the west (or at least the US).

To recap, everything Flugwerk did for the airframe they did very well and very close to the blueprints. The systems were incomplete in the kit (the 10% of the project that takes 90% of the time). Some of the changes necessitated by the unavailability of original system components may not work acceptably as designed- I think that kits were delivered prior to an aircraft actually flying, so some of the deficiencies in the systems designed by Flugwerk may not have been known. As an engineer, it is in retrospect sometimes hard to second guess all the design considerations that go into a decision made by another engineer, so I'll just have to wait and see.

Basically the aircraft is part reproduction and part homebuilt. That is likely why there aren't many of these yet airborne. On a scale of one to ten, with one being "just bolt together and fly" and ten being "dataplate provided, build the rest yourself," I give it about a five.

[warbird1]

I just had the opportunity to look at one of these aircraft. In my opinion the quality is very good- the workmanship is fantastic.

So, who owns the one now at Chino, bdk?

[bdk]

So, who owns the one now at Chino, bdk?

You know, I do actually get outside the city limits on occasion! If there is one in Chino, I have never seen it.

P.S. I have only seen this one aircraft and cannot vouch for the quality of any other Flugwerk products, nor am I a certified quality control inspector. I don't play one on TV nor am I an expert witness for the purpose of litigation. Thank you.

[warbird1]

So, who owns the one now at Chino, bdk?

You know, I do actually get outside the city limits on occasion! If there is one in Chino, I have never seen it.

I read on another aviation forum that there is a "secret" 190 at Chino now that is "off the radar". Just curious.

[JDK]

P.S. I have only seen this one aircraft and cannot vouch for the quality of any other Flugwerk products, nor am I a certified quality control inspector. I don't play one on TV nor am I an expert witness for the purpose of litigation. Thank you.

But we note you can keep a fixed smile under pressure.

Thanks for the input!

[bdk]

That's just another emoticon James...

[Obergrafeter]

There can't be a secret 190 at Chino.............all the secret stuff is in San Antonio by special arrangements of the Secret Owners Association at their last secret meeting (or maybe not). The SOA will let you know if they want you to know (or maybe not)