Focke Wulf 190A5 WkNr 01501227

The Fw190 is without doubt one of the most famous designs of Kurt Tank and fighter aircraft of WW2.

Built in April 1943 at the main Focke Wulf factory in Bremen this particular aircraft has been reported as having been upgraded to an A5/U3 Fighter Bomber variant.

In May that same year the aircraft was in action in a ground attack role with 4/JG54 “Greenhearts” whose base was Siwerskaja Northern Russia. It is understood that on the 19.07.43 “White A” suffered engine failure during a sortie in the area of Voibakala.

Feldwebel Paul Rätz the pilot survived the crash landing but was taken prisoner by the Russians where he was subjected to ten years of hard labour.

Herr Rätz was repatriated to Germany during the 1950’s but sadly died just before his aircraft was recovered. Apparently discovered in 1990, with recovery it seems starting 1991 (there is a date stamp recorded on the film), the aircraft was shipped to a major UK collector where it underwent considerable restoration.

The aircraft was eventually acquired by Paul Allen and has, over the years, undergone further extensive restoration, to “original specification”, by JME engineering.

I acquired the original amateur video film in 2000/2001 which is of a very poor quality; the video footage shown is an edited version of that film.

Kurt Tank’s “Butcher Bird” is certainly an amazing aircraft and I look forward, like so many, to the day when we will be fortunate enough to hear the sound of a BMW801 engine powering this awesome fighter through peaceful skies.