Focke-Wulf A 38

A 38 Möwe
A Focke-Wulf A.38 D-2073 (foreground) at Tempelhof airport in 1932
Role	Airliner
Manufacturer	Focke-Wulf
Designer	Wilhelm Bansemir
First flight	1931
Primary user	Deutsche Luft Hansa
Number built	4

The Focke-Wulf A 38 Möwe (German: "Gull") was an airliner produced in Germany in the early 1930s. It was a final development of the family of designs that commenced with the A 17 in 1927. The A 38 used the same high-mounted, cantilever wing as the A 29, but mated this to an all-new fuselage design with enclosed seating for 10 passengers and three crew. Unlike earlier members of the family, the flight deck was not joined to the cabin, separated now by a lavatory and baggage compartment. The main undercarriage was strengthened and the main wheels fitted with brakes, while the tailskid was replaced with a tailwheel. All four A 38s were originally fitted with Siemens- or Gnome et Rhône-built Bristol Jupiter engines (although the BMW VI had been offered as an option), but in April 1933, all aircraft were refitted with Siemens Sh 20 powerplants. By mid-1934, they had been relegated to training duties.

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: Three - two pilots and a radio operator
• Capacity: 10 passengers
• Length: 15.40 m (50 ft 6 in)
• Wingspan: 20.00 m (65 ft 7 in)
• Height: 5.30 m (17 ft 5 in)
• Wing area: 62.5 m² (673 ft²)
• Empty weight: 2,700 kg (5,940 lb)
• Gross weight: 4,400 kg (9,680 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Siemens-built Bristol Jupiter VI, 370 kW (500 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 204 km/h (126 mph)
• Range: 750 km (470 miles)
• Service ceiling: 3,100 m (10,200 ft)
• Rate of climb: 2.1 m/s (420 ft/min)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Focke-Wulf.

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 395. 
• World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 894 Sheet 28. 
• "Focke-Wulf A38 "Möwe"". Flight: 843–44. 21 August 1931. Retrieved 2008-03-23. 
• German aircraft between 1919-1945