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Fw 190 A-1
Production May to October 1941, serial numbers [0110] 001 to 102.
Armament: 2 x MG 17 in the fuselage, one MG 17 in each wing root (no visible muzzle, no "bulge" on the upper surface of the wing), one MG FF in each outer wing.
Engine: BMW 801 C, no cooling air outlet slots (so-called gill slits) in the
fairing behind the engine. During the later conversion to the D-engine, fairing panels with gill slits were also installed.
The aircraft, like all Fw 190s, was equipped for fighter-bomber use from the outset.
Using the component kit (assembly group 861) included with each aircraft, the ETC-501 carrier for bombs up to 500 kg or a 300-liter tank could be installed under the fuselage. For fighter-bomber use, the remaining landing gear covers were usually removed.
Fw 190 A-2
Production August 1941 to July 1942, serial numbers beginning with 201.
The exact number cannot be determined;
the information in the factory documents indicates that the number of units produced for the A-2/A-3 series (for which a joint production order existed) was between 933 and 952 units. According to documents
According to the Air Force Commander's order, 359 A-2s appear to have been delivered to the Luftwaffe.
Armament: 2 x MG 17s in the fuselage, one
MG 151 in each wing root (protruding muzzle, dent in the upper surface of the wing). MG FF was only intended as an optional upgrade kit,
but was usually installed.
Engine originally a BMW 801 C; during an "engine action" - presumably before May 1942 - cowling panels with gill slits were generally installed. No conversion kit designation when changing to BMW 801 D!
Used by II., III., IV./JG 1, I., II., III./JG 2, I./
JG 5, IV./JG 5, I., II., III./JG 26.
U1: A prototype aircraft (W.-Nr. 315, registration
CM+CN) for testing course control and turn horizon.
U 3: Attack aircraft, partially armored. The armor was not bolted on like the A-8 assault fighters, but the normal sheet metal was replaced with stronger steel plates. Together with aircraft from the A-3 series, 12 units were built in the summer of 1942.
Fw 190 A-3
Production February to August 1942, approximately 580 units delivered. Serial numbers begin with
0130. Since the A-3 series originated from the same delivery order as the A-2, the last three digits of the serial numbers, the were mostly painted on the tail surfaces,confused with those of the A-2.
Change compared to the A-2: BMW-801 D engine and gill slits. Apparently, "normal fighters" were also subsequently equipped with adjustable cooling air outlets similar to the A-5, possibly only during the winter
Used by JG 1, 2, 5, 26, 51; 9. (H)/LG 2;
Sch.G. 1 and 2.
U1: A prototype aircraft, W.-Nr. [0130] 270,
registration PG+GY, with a forward-mounted engine, thus a prototype for the A-5. Later, trials with a Fw-
carrier under the wings, thus a prototype for the
A-5/U13.
U 2: Test vehicle for RZ-65 rockets, serial number [0130] 386.U 3: Awarded twice! Firstly, for a reconnaissance aircraft with a series of cameras, W.-Nr. [0130] 300. Secondly, for a small test series of armored attack aircraft (see also A-2/U 3). One aircraft, W.-Nr. [0130] 511, was also tested with Trop filters. The "butchers" were deployed in the Leningrad area at the end of 1942.
U 4: Reconnaissance aircraft. No MG FF in the outer wing.
Series cameras in the fuselage. 12 built in October/November 1942, used by 9.(H)/LG 2.
U 7: Light high-altitude fighter, three built, W.-Nr. 528, 530, 531. Features: External air intake hoods, adjustable cooling air outlets te (gill flaps) as on the A-5, armament reduced to MG 151 in the wing roots. Whether it saw front-line testing is unknown
Fw 190 A-4
Production June 1942 to January 1943, thus overlapping with the A-3, approximately 906 units built.
Features: Modified vertical stabilizers with short mast for FuG 16, otherwise A-2/A-3 corresponding. W.-No. 711 to 760 with external air intake scoops and sand filters, a number of which were used for the U-3 conversion.
The antenna for the FuG 25 was missing on aircraft of JG 51 and 54 on the Eastern Front. Towards the end of the series, some aircraft were already equipped with the advanced A-5 series engine. They were used by JG 1, 2, 5, 11, 26, 51, 54, 300, SKG 10, Sch.G. 1 and 2, FAGr 123, and NAGr 13.
U1: Converted to BMW 801 C. No external features! Used mostly as fighter-bombers. The aircraft used by SKG 10 for night missions received a landing light in the left wing. The MG FF on fighter-bombers was removed, often also the MG 17.
U3: Attack aircraft, armored. 30 (according to another source, 18) built, some equipped with Tropsch filters! Only fuselage ETC, no curved canopy, no MG FF. Retroactively renamed F-1 in April 1943.
U4: Reconnaissance aircraft. According to model series overviews, they were not built, but at least four were in service with 5./(F) 123, later with NAGr 13. Characteristics: bulge for the series imager under the fuselage, no antenna for the FuG 25 under the fuselage. The aircraft may have been later upgrades.
U 8: Extended-range fighter-bomber (“Jaborei”). Two prototype aircraft built in November 1942, serial nos. 669 and 670. Features:
Fuselage ETC 501, with a faired Ju 87 carrier (VTr. Ju 87 or Weserflugträger) for a 300-liter tank under each wing. Semicircular recess in the landing flaps to prevent contact with the tanks. Armament: only 2 x MG 151. The prototype aircraft were retroactively renamed G-1 in April 1943. The later, small-scale G-1 series, however, evolved from the A-5/U 8 (see there) (drawing 3).
R1: Lead fighter, equipped with FuG 16 ZE. Only the aircraft of unit and formation commanders were equipped with this ring antenna under the fuselage (for Y-shaped guidance).
R 6: Group destroyer. A launch tube for WGr-21 rockets was mounted under each wing. Used on a few aircraft from summer 1943 onwards.
Fw 190 A-5
Production November 1942 to June 1943 (Series production was planned until September 1944!), j Number of units unknown.
Features: Intermediate plate between the leading edge of the wing root and the engine cowling, due to the forward position of the engine, as well as adjustable cooling air outlets instead of the previous gaps. Enlarged and relocated maintenance hatch on the left side of the fuselage between frames 9 and 10. ESK 16 camera in the left outer wing.
During the course of the series, the aircraft was to be converted to external air intake ducts, which were intended to achieve better altitude performance. At least one example was built, tested by Major Graf with Erg. JGr. South, summer 1943
A-5k: Experimental version with shorter wings for material testing; ten units ordered. Whether they were built is unknown.
U1: Converted to BMW 801 C. No external features. Mostly used as a fighter-bomber. Armament varied; some had only the MG 151, others a full six-gun arsenal.
U2: Fighter-bomber with extended range for night operations, developed from the A-5/U8. Five units planned, at least eight built (W.-No. 711, 783, 1140, 1450, 1482, 1513). Equipment as per the U8, plus anti-glare strips on the fuselage sides (no flamethrowers!), robotic camera in the left wing, and twin searchlights next to it. Used by SKG 10, possibly also by Stab/JG 300. In April 1943, retroactively redesignated G-2/N
U-3: Armored attack aircraft, retroactively redesignated F-2 in April 1943. Only fuselage ETC, no enlarged dorsal armor protection, no curved cockpit glass, armament: 2 x MG 17, 2 x MG 151, both with sand protection seals around the weapon muzzles.
The original series was only delivered with a Trop-Filter, often replaced with engine cowlings with internal intake ducts during later overhauls. From October 1943, it was used by all fighter squadrons.
U 4: Reconnaissance aircraft, most likely not built.
U 8: Jaborei. Small series (according to the documents, 50 to 80). Four were still built with Weserflug carriers. Prototype aircraft W. Nos. 813, 1286, 1288, 1414. This series was retroactively renamed G-1 in April. Since the top speed of 480 km/h was insufficient, jettisonable Messerschmitt carriers for 300-liter tanks were tested on the GH+JD (W. No. unknown). The small series built in this way was retroactively renamed G-2. Armament was reduced to MG 151s in fixed-wing cannons.
Used by SKG 10, SG 4, and SG 10. Long-range fighter-bombers were used – with the exception of a short period – by SG 10 in Romania and III/SG 1. on the Eastern Front - otherwise used exclusively in the West and Italy .
U-9: Destroyer, two prototype aircraft, W. Nos. 812 and 816, as prototypes for the A-8. MG 131 instead of MG 17 in the fuselage, MG 151 in the outer wing. Some documents suggest that an arrangement of two adjacent MG 151s in the outer wing was later tested.
U10: Destroyer, two prototype aircraft (W.-Nr. 861 and 862) for the A-6 series with MG 151 instead of the MG FF in the outer wing.
U11 Panzerjäger, one prototype aircraft (W.-Nr. 1303) completed in August 1943. MK 103 in nacelle under the outer wing. Three more aircraft were built by Fieseler around the turn of the year 1943/44, renamed F-3/R 2, later F-3/R 3. Presumably never saw front-line service
U12: Attack aircraft, two prototype aircraft, W. No. 813 (BH+CC) and 814 (BH+CD). "Large bombing electrics" for single-drop wing and fuselage bombs. With the wing removed, one WB 151 with two ETCs was installed. MG 151 was possible. Since the weapon carrier tests did not produce satisfactory results for ground deployment, the additional armament was to be used as the R 1 upgrade kit on the new A-6 bomber attack model.
U13: Jaborei, only three prototype aircraft. W. No. 817 (= V 43) BH+CG for daytime operations; W. No. 1083, GC+LA for night operations; W. No. 855 (= V 44), identification unknown, was to become the final prototype aircraft for the planned G-1 series  The first two aircraft still carried the tanks on Mtt carriers, the W. No. The 855 received Fw carriers for 300-liter tanks or 250-kg bombs, and also had wings with Kuto blades. The GC+LA was tested with flame suppressors. The series was built from July 1943 onwards as the G-3, or with modified exhausts. and searchlights in the left wing as G-3/N. Armament: 2 x MG 151s; Fw wing mounts for G-3 and G-3/N. - The W.-Nr.
855 now became the prototype aircraft for the planned G-4 series, which, however, never began production, as the G-3 was built until spring 1944.
Further modifications to the G-3 during series production: From the end of 1943, the A-6 wings with a robotic camera in the left wing were used. From January 1944, the Fw mounts were discontinued. In the autumn of 1944, several aircraft of the NSGr 20 were equipped with Mtt mounts and flamethrowers. With the R 5 upgrade kit, the troops could replace their ETC carriers with two ETC-50 carriers under each wing (for attack missions).
U14: Torpedo carrier ("Jato"). Allegedly five aircraft delivered for testing in May 1943. Known serial numbers 871 (TD+SI) and 872. Features: Modified fuselage ETC, ETC carriers under the wings, extended tailskid. At least one aircraft was tested with an enlarged wooden vertical stabilizer
U15: Jato. A prototype aircraft, W. No. 1282. Ju 87 carrier under the wings, long tailskid, tail of the planned Fw 190C with a larger vertical stabilizer.
U16: Destroyer, probably only a prototype aircraft, W. No. 1340, tested in August 1943. MK 108 in nacelle under the outer wing, MG FF installed.
U17: Attack aircraft, armored. Prototype designation for the F-3 series, which began production in June 1943. This prototype was also intended to be only a preliminary stage of the F-1 project, optionally deployable as a weapon carrier with 6 x MG 151 in the wings or weapon pods with 2 x MG 151 or 1 x MK 103 under each wing or as
Bomb carrier with 2 x ETC 50s under each wing, with each bomb being released individually. This project, with the so-called "large bomb electrical system," was renamed F-4 in April 1943, but never realized. Characteristics of the F-3: Initially, the series featured external intake scoops and sand filters, fuselage ETC 50s, 2 x ETC 50s under each wing (bombs could only be released in pairs), armament: 2 x MG 17s, 2 x MG 151s, occasionally only 2 x MG 151s. Missions were often flown without wing ETCs in 1944/45. Occasionally also ETC 503 or Fw-Träger under the wings instead of ETC 50. During series production, the A-6 wing with a robotic camera was used. Whether F-3s were retrofitted with additional back armor for the pilot and curved canopies in early 1945 is very doubtful! Versions with wing ETCs were called R1. R3 was intended for weapon carriers. Together with the A-5/U11, four aircraft equipped with MK 103s were built by Fieseler and tested in Tarnewitz. The test series was expanded to 10 aircraft.
was stopped. Development of the wing for 3 x MG 151s was also discontinued.
R1: Lead fighter, equipped as A-4/R1.
R 6: Group destroyer, equipped as A-4/R 6.
Fw 190 A-6
Production June to December 1943, 569 units built.
New wing with MG 151 instead of MG FF. Characteristics: Smooth barrel without muzzle brake; bulge on the upper surface of the wing, tube ejection chute under the wing. Robotic camera in the left outer wing. During the course of the series or during overhauls, new undercarriage rims without pinholes and a ring antenna of the FuG 16 ZE were installed under the fuselage.
R1: Destroyer, WB 151 with 2 x MG 151s under each wing, external MG 151 removed; 60 aircraft delivered (drawing 10).
R 6: Group destroyer, WGr 21 under each wing.
Fw 190 A-7
The designation was initially reserved for a reconnaissance aircraft. After the A-6 series was phased out, the A-8 series was immediately launched in November 1943. When significant modifications were made to the A-8 in January 1944 (equipment with the FuG 16 ZY radio system, installation of a GM-1 fuel tank or 115-liter long-range tank), all A-8s built up to that point were renamed A-7, as were the aircraft built in parallel with the "new type" A-8 in their previous rusted state. Features compared to the A-6: MG 131 in the fuselage  instead of MG 17, with strongly curved cover plates.
R1: 2 x MG 151 in the weapons pod under the wing.
R 2: MK 108 instead of the external MG 151.
Short muzzle, different cover plate under the wing without ejection chute, but with an ejection port next to the cover plate.
R 6: WGr 21 under each wing (drawing 12). (To be continued)
Fw 190 A-8
First series November 1943, description under A-7.
Modified series from February 1944
Features: Pitot tube in the tip of the right wing, filler neck for 115-liter fuel tank or GM-1 tank in the left side of the fuselage behind the cabin, filler neck for auxiliary fuel on the left side below the cabin, large maintenance hatch for oxygen cylinders under the fuselage in front of the FuG 16 ZE ring antenna, ETC 501 relocated 20 cm forward, Morane antenna for FuG 16 ZY under the left inner wing, window for robot camera in the left inner wing. From January 1945, reinforced dorsal armor for the pilot, curved canopy, and also wooden propellers with wide blades.
R 1: 2 x MG 151s under the wings, discontinued
due to reduced flight performance from April 1944.
R 2: MK 108 instead of MG 151 in the outer wing.
R 3: Testing of four aircraft with MK 103 under the wings.
R 6: WGr 21, suspension device on 50% of the series.
R 7: Sturmjäger, reinforced armored glass in front of the cabin and 30 mm triangular side windows, standard armament. Most likely, no aircraft were equipped with this armoring kit.
R 8: Sturmjäger, replaced R 2 and R 7. Additional 15 mm armored glass in front of the windshield, 30 mm triangular side windows, additional internal armor in front of the instrument panel, armor plating of the MK 108 ammunition magazines. By August 1944, additional 30 mm armored glass on the sides of the cockpit and additional armor plates on the fuselage sides. The latter armor plating was removed in September 1944, and the reinforced windshield plating was removed from January 1945, replaced by reinforced dorsal armor protection with a curved canopy. MG
R 11: Night and foul-weather fighter. Standard equipment included the PKS 12 course control unit and the FuG 125 radio guidance system. Its antenna was located on the fuselage ridge just in front of the tail unit. Its appearance resembled the ring antenna of the FuG 16 ZE, which was omitted here.
Due to major problems with the PKS 12 and FuG 125 during production, there were probably only very few aircraft with this equipment from September 1944 onwards. It was a night fighter with anti-glare strips and FuG 218 antennas on the wings. Armament: 4 x MG 151, 2 x MG 131. (Drawing)
A-8/U 1: Conversion to a two-seat trainer aircraft. See below for Fw 190 S.
Fw 190 A-9
Last production model of the A series, powered by the BMW 801 TS.
Feature: Wider curvatures of the cowlings for the turbocharger intakes and individual gas nozzles under the fuselage; the characteristic "funnel" at the bottom left (exhaust manifold for cylinders 8 and 9) was thus eliminated. Cooling fan with 14 rotor blades. All aircraft with a curved canopy and reinforced dorsal armor protection.