Warbird Information Exchange

A colleage of mine took these pictures for me. I have no idea what bird this is or what DOD it has. Anyone can help here? Part of the interior is stripped down, and the engine is missing also.
What od you think? Is it restorable? Where can I find info about why it was grounded?

Thanks, Johan

Looks like a Focke-Wulf Fw.149 to me... Ollie on WIX would be able to tell for sure!

As for the other stuff... no idea. There is a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to the concept of "restorable" or not.

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Ryan Keough
Stow, MA

Hello,

it is indeed a Focke-Wulf Fw 149D. As wether or not it is restorable, we'd have to check if there's corrosion on the aiframe.

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Olivier Lacombe -- Harvard Mk.4 C-GBQB

Everything is restorable. Like Ollie said though, it depends on corrosion and other possible hidden "uh-ohs".

Speaking of that Ollie, how is your Focke Wulf to maintain? Looks like a very straight forward airplane to me. How is the availability of parts? Anything interchangable with any other airplanes?

Gary

Hey Gary!

It is a very easy plane to maintain, most airframe specific parts are still easy to find in Germany when you know someone. For the engine, it's standard Lycoming. Avionics are all US, save the fuel gauge, we kept the German one and bought a replacement in case we need it. We have Cleveland wheels and brakes (much better than the originals), etc.

It likes to drink fuel though...

And no, you can't really swap parts with other airplanes save for the engine.

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Olivier Lacombe -- Harvard Mk.4 C-GBQB

Thanks Ollie. Interesting stuff.

Gary

Oh Gary, it's all pretty trivial to what you do with your bombers!

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Olivier Lacombe -- Harvard Mk.4 C-GBQB

Thanks for all the info guys. i learned now that this has been a trainer for the German army until the 80's. Should it be worth restoring? Or Do I just leave it where it is? Seems a flying one costs around 80K. i'm new in aircraft restoration, so I have no idea where this will lead me.

Johan

Like I said, it depends on the condition of the structure. If it is corroded in places, you may be better off with a sound flying one just in need of a new paint job.

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Olivier Lacombe -- Harvard Mk.4 C-GBQB

Not really. Major work on a bomber may get more of the attention than work on a smaller airplane, but all of this type of work can be fascinating. Just because some work is being done on a big 'ol, clunky bomber, doesn't mean that work on the smaller airplanes is any less significant or interesting. Your Focke Wulf, for example, is quite rare in the big scheme of things and it's neat to be able to learn a little more about it.

Personally, I like the variety of working on different airplanes. It's the best way to get to learn more about them. So, Johan, if you do indeed get that project, be sure you keep us all updated so that we can learn more about it.

Gary