Fw 47 Höhengeier
Role
Weather planeType of aircraft
Manufacturer
Focke-Wulf
Designer
Wilhelm Bansemir
First flight
June 1931
Introduction
December 1932
Number built
36
The Focke-Wulf Fw 47 Höhengeier (German: "Vulture"), known internally to Focke-Wulf as the A 47 , was a meteorological aircraft developed in Germany in 1931. It was a parasol-wing monoplane of largely conventional design, unusual only in the expansiveness of its wing area. Tested first by the Reichsverband der Deutschen Luftfahrtindustrie , and then the weather station at Hamburg, the type was ordered into production to equip ten major weather stations around Germany.
Variants
A 47a - prototype with Argus As 10 engine
Fw 47C - production version with Argus As 10C engine
Fw 47D - production version with Argus As 10D engine
Fw 47E - production version with Argus As 10E engine
Specifications (Fw 47C)
General characteristics
Crew: two, pilot and observer
Length: 10.55 m (34 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 17.75 m (58 ft 3 in)
Height: 3.04 m (10 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 35.0 m2 (377 sq ft)
Empty weight: 1,065 kg (2,350 lb)
Gross weight: 1,580 kg (3,480 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Argus As 10 C , 180 kW (240 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 190 km/h (120 mph, 100 kn)
Range: 640 km (400 mi, 350 nmi)
Service ceiling: 5,600 m (18,400 ft)
References
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 29.
Nowarra, Heinz (1983). Die deutsche Luftrüstung 1933-1945 . Bonn: Bernard and Graefe. pp. Teil 2, p.55.
Company designations, pre-1933 Names RLM designations, 1933–1945Company designations, post-1945 Projects
1 to 100 101 to 200 201 to 300 301 to 349 Post-349 (non-sequential)
1 Not assigned
2 Unofficial/proposed
3 Assigned, but not used before RLM was dissolved
4 Assigned to captured aircraft
5 Unconfirmed
6 Propaganda/cover designation
Note: Official RLM designations had the prefix "8-", but this was usually dropped and replaced with the manufacturer's prefix.