Fw 200 Condor | |
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Fw 200 C-3/U2 "SG+KS", became F8+AB of I.Gruppe/KG 40 | |
Role | Airliner, reconnaissance, bomber, transport aircraft and maritime patrol aircraft |
Manufacturer | Focke-Wulf |
First flight | 27 July 1937 |
Primary users | Luftwaffe Deutsche Luft Hansa Syndicato Condor |
Produced | 1937 - 1944 |
Number built | 276 |
The Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor, also known as Kurier (German for courier[1]) to the Allies, is a German all-metal four-engined monoplane originally developed by Focke-Wulf as a long-range airliner. A Japanese request for a long-range maritime patrol aircraft led to military versions that saw service with the Luftwaffe as long-range reconnaissance and anti-shipping/maritime patrol bomber aircraft. The Luftwaffe also made extensive use of the Fw 200 as a transport aircraft.
It achieved success as a commerce raider until mid-1941, by which time it was being harried by long-range RAF Coastal Command aircraft and the Hurricane fighters being flown from CAM ships.[2]