Focke-Wulf Fw 47 Höhengeier

The Focke-Wulf Fw 47 Höhengeier (German: "Vulture"), known internally to Focke-Wulf as the A 47, was a meteorological aircraft developed in Germany in 1931. It was a parasol-wing monoplane of largely conventional design, unusual only in the expansiveness of its wing area. Tested first by the Reichsverband der Deutschen Luftfahrtindustrie, and then the weather station at Hamburg, the type was ordered into production to equip ten major weather stations around Germany.

Fw 47 Höhengeier
Role	Weather plane
Manufacturer	Focke-Wulf
Designer	Wilhelm Bansemir
First flight	June 1931
Introduction	December 1932
Number built	36

Variants

• A 47a - prototype with Argus As 10 engine
• Fw 47C - production version with Argus As 10C engine
• Fw 47D - production version with Argus As 10D engine
• Fw 47E - production version with Argus As 10E engine

Specifications (Fw 47C)

General characteristics

• Crew: two, pilot and observer
• Length: 10.55 m (34 ft 7 in)
• Wingspan: 17.75 m (58 ft 3 in)
• Height: 3.04 m (10 ft 0 in)
• Wing area: 35.0 m² (377 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 1,065 kg (2,350 lb)
• Gross weight: 1,580 kg (3,480 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Argus As 10C , 180 kW (240 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 190 km/h (120 mph, 100 kn)
• Range: 640 km (400 mi, 350 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 5,600 m (18,400 ft)

References

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 395.
• World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 894 Sheet 29.
• Nowarra, Heinz (1983). Die deutsche Luftrüstung 1933-1945. Bonn: Bernard and Graefe. pp. Teil 2, p.55.