The Fw 44 was designed as a biplane with conventional layout and straight, non-tapered wings. Its two open cockpits were arranged in tandem, and both cockpits were equipped with flight controls and instruments. The Fw 44 had fixed tailwheel landing gear. It employed ailerons on both upper and lower wings. It did not use flaps. It was flown with a Siemens-Halske Sh 14 radial engine.
The first prototype flew in 1932. After many tests and modifications to increase the plane's durability and aerodynamics, the final Fw 44 proved to have excellent airworthiness.
A second version of the Fw 44 was the Fw 44B, which had an Argus As 8 four-cylinder inverted inline air-cooled engine of 90 kW (120 hp) The cowling for this engine gave the plane a more slender, aerodynamic nose.
20 Fw 44s purchased by China were modified for combat missions and participated in the early stage of the Second Sino-Japanese War until all were lost in action.
The last series version was Fw 44J, which was sold or built on license in several countries around the world. It was equipped with a seven-cylinder Siemens-Halske Sh 14 radial engine.
Type A B C D E F J
Engine 1 Siemens Sh 14A 1 Siemens Sh 14A Argus As 8B 1 Siemens Sh 14A Argus As 8B 1 Siemens Sh 14A 1 Siemens Sh 14A
Dimensions Length 7.28 m, span 9.0 m, height 2.72 m, wingarea 20 m2 Length 7.28 m, span 9.0 m, height 2.72 m, wingarea 20 m2 Length 7.7 m, span 9.0 m, height 2.72 m, wingarea 20 m2 Length 7.28 m, span 9.0 m, height 2.72 m, wingarea 20 m2 Length 7.7 m, span 9.0 m, height 2.72 m, wingarea 20 m2 Length 7.28 m, span 9.0 m, height 2.72 m, wingarea 20 m2 Length 7.28 m, span 9.0 m, height 2.72 m, wingarea 20 m2
Weights Empty 560 kg, fuel and oil 111 kg, crew 160 kg, load 39 kg, flying weight 870 kg Empty 560 kg, fuel and oil 111 kg, crew 160 kg, load 39 kg, flying weight 870 kg Empty 560 kg, fuel and oil 111 kg, crew 150 kg, load 79 kg, flying weight 900 kg Empty 560 kg, fuel and oil 111 kg, crew 160 kg, load 69 kg, flying weight 900 kg Empty 560 kg, fuel and oil 111 kg, crew 160 kg, load 69 kg, flying weight 900 kg Empty 560 kg, fuel and oil 111 kg, crew 160 kg, load 69 kg, flying weight 900 kg Empty 560 kg, fuel and oil 111 kg, crew 160 kg, load 69 kg, flying weight 900 kg
Performance Max. speed 188 km/h at sea level, climb to 1000 m 4 min 30 sec, to 3000 m 18 min 42 sec, cruising speed 172 km/h at sea level, landing speed 67 km/h, range 540 km, service ceiling 4400 m, req. startfield 140 m Max. speed 188 km/h at sea level, climb to 1000 m 4 min 30 sec, to 3000 m 18 min 42 sec, cruising speed 172 km/h at sea level, landing speed 67 km/h, range 540 km, service ceiling 4400 m, req. startfield 140 m Max. speed 185 km/h at sea level, climb to 1000 m 5 min 12 sec, to 3000 m 23 min , cruising speed 168 km/h at sea level, landing speed 67 km/h, range 675 km, service ceiling 3900 m req. startfield 180 m Max. speed 188 km/h at sea level, climb to 1000 m 4 min 30 sec, to 3000 m 18 min 42 sec, cruising speed 172 km/h at sea level, landing speed 67 km/h, range 540 km, service ceiling 4400 m, req. startfield 140 m Max. speed 185 km/h at sea level, climb to 1000 m 5 min 12 sec, to 3000 m 23 min , cruising speed 168 km/h at sea level, landing speed 67 km/h, range 600 km, service ceiling 3900 m req. startfield 180 m Max. speed 188 km/h at sea level, climb to 1000 m 4 min 30 sec, to 3000 m 18 min 42 sec, cruising speed 172 km/h at sea level, landing speed 67 km/h, range 540 km, service ceiling 4400 m, req. startfield 140 m Max. speed 188 km/h at sea level, climb to 1000 m 4 min 30 sec, to 3000 m 18 min 42 sec, cruising speed 172 km/h at sea level, landing speed 67 km/h, range 540 km, service ceiling 4400 m, req. startfield 140 m