FW 190 G8

Fw 190G-3

During the summer of 1943 production of modified Fw 190G-3 planes started. In this series the "universal" wing from the Fw 190 A-6 was applied as standard and underwing shackles for fuel tanks were replaced by similar ETC 501 V.Fw Trg (Verkleideter Focke-Wulf Trager) bomb racks. This solution gives this version the ability to carry both fuel tanks and 250 kg bombs, this considerably increased offensive plane capabilities.

In addition to this change, the Fw 190G-3 plane was equipped with the autopilot device PKS 11 (also the more modern version, PKS 12) to reduce pilot workload during long-range flights (maximum flight time for Fw 190G was about 2.5 hours).

Beginning in October 1943 Fw 190G-3 and later version planes were powered by the BMW 801 D-2 engine adapted for C3 (96 octane) fuel and fitted with an additional injector in the left supercharger inlet. That made it possible to briefly (10-15 min.) increase engine power during flights at low altitudes (under 1000 m).

The G-3 had also a desert version, Fw 190G-3/tp, with anti-dust filters and other equipment useful during operations over desert or steppe regions.

Some planes were modified by mounting these R kits:

* Fw 190G-3/R1 - heavily armed attack fighter with two WB 151/20 pylons in place of underwing V.Fw Trg. racks. This variant had armament of 2x1 MG 151/20 E with 250 rounds per cannon and 2x2 MG 151/20 E with 125 rounds per cannon. This modernization was ordered in September 1943 to be made by LZA workshops at Sagan-Kupper Air Base. These planes did not have the autopilot device or additional armour. Planes would have been used for bomber formation attack and ground attack.

* Fw 190G-3/R5 - close support attack aircraft modified similar to the F-3/R1 standard. In place of V.Fw Trg. racks, ETC 50 bomb racks (2x2 50 kg bombs) were mounted. In this modification, no additional armour and oil tank were applied. Some planes were again equipped with fuselage mounted MG 17 machine guns. Most of the planes had the autopilot device.

Summary of features
Fw 190G-3 could be distinguished by the following external features:

* A-6 airframe (see A-6 recognition features)
* No fuselage armament
* Wing armament of MG 151 in inboard positions, with protruding barrels and wing root blisters.
* No outer wing armament
* Centerline ETC 501 bomb rack
* Underwing ETC 501 racks with narrow fairings for fuel tanks or bombs

Fw 190G-8

Next, and the last production series of the G version, was the Fw 190G-8 plane (G-4 to G-7 variant designated small modifications that were not realized).

The basis for this version was the A-8 airframe. It included all modifications applied to this version and the enlarged cockpit canopy from the Fw 190F-8. Despite the fact that the plane did not have fuselage mounted machine guns, the G-8 got new, enlarged upper covers forward of the cockpit, just like the F-8 which had the MG 131 guns installed. For transportation of additional fuel tanks and bombs the new ETC 503 bomb racks were used.

Some G-8 planes also got flame dampers (version Fw 190G-8/N adapted for night operation).

To widen Fw 190G-8 operational use, the following Rustsatz kits were provided:

* Fw 190G-8/R4 - an unrealized project of a plane equipped with a GM 1 installation for nitrogen monoxide (N2O) injection for increased power rising (larger amount of oxygen available for combustion) at high altitudes.

* Fw 190G-8/R5 - had four underwing ETC 50 (or ETC 70) bomb racks in place of two ETC 503.

In an emergency, single Fw 190G planes were adapted for the transportation of high weight bombs under the fuselage (1000, 1600 and 1800 kg). In this modification, the shock absorber leg was strengthened and wheels with strengthened tires were used. Also used were special bomb racks (Schlos 1000 or 2000) in place of the ETC 501 bomb rack. The Fw 190G planes with these higher bomb loads needed as long as 1200-1300 m of runway for takeoff.

Production of G-8 version continued from September 1943 to February 1944. In the late series G-8 planes (from February 1944), the autopilot device was not used. Also, late-production Fw 190G-8 aircraft had the fuselage MG 131 guns installed, effectively eliminating the difference between this variant and the F-8. Thus, "pure" Fw 190G8 became identical with Fw 190F-8/U1, and G-8/R5 identical with F-8/R1.

As a consequence, G-8 production was abandoned in February 1944 in favour of modified F-8 series planes. About 800 Fw 190G planes of all versions were produced.
Summary of features
Fw 190G-8 could be distinguished by the following external features:

* A-8 airframe (see A-8 recognition features)
* "Blown" canopy
* Armoured headrest with cushion, braced with solid armoured pylon
* No fuselage armament, but retained bulged gun cover of the fighter version
* Wing armament of MG 151 in inboard positions, with protruding barrels and wing root blisters.
* No outer wing armament
* Centerline ETC 501 bomb rack
* Underwing ETC 503 racks in streamlined pylons