What da Focke??

[dvddude]

Re: What da Focke??

I dont know for sure, but everthing I have read about this particular aircraft states 2800.

It has been confirmed that Frasca's FW has a 2800.

[dvddude]

Re: What da Focke??

I thought the FW with the R-2800 is the one with a four blade prop that recently had a gear collapse incident??

No, the one with the 4 bladed prop with the runway excursion on the East Coast had a different version of the Ash-82 engine than the production Flug Werk's. It basically had a QEC off of a Chinese variant of the Russian Tu-2 bomber, hence the 4 bladed prop.

[dvddude]

Re: What da Focke??

This is what I dont know for certain:
If the FW entered in the races IS Frasca's, though logic dictates that it is, as there are only a couple of these around.

That the oil cooling issue has been fixed, though again logic tells me it has, but who knows when they paid there entry fee and how up to date the RARA list is (The list shows Furias on there, or rather Frious??)

So, you don't know for certain if it is Frasca's? In the other thread about the contestant's list when I asked you replied:

yes its his, It's the one with the 2800 in it.

That's why I asked in the other thread, as there are numerous Flug Werk projects scattered across the United States, with some changing hands several times. Even though Frasca's is the only "known" flying Flug Werk now in the States, who's to say that one of the other projects hasn't been completed in secret, hence my question. Frasca's was certainly off the radar until May when it was unveiled at the POF airshow in Chino.

Also, another point to bring up. Just because a racer is "registered" doesn't necessarily mean it will show up and race. I believe the "lead time" for registration is such that owner's must pay the registration fees well in advance. For some, they will register even if they are not certain their aircraft will race.

An unlimited owner friend of mine did such a thing in the late 90's. Howard Pardue did it a few years ago. It seems Chuck Greenhill is doing it now with "Furious" which will probably not be ready in time.

Sorry to crap in the punch bowl, but can anybody truly CONFIRM if this said FW will race?

Also, we need true confirmation that it is indeed Frasca's and nobody elses. FWIW, I don't recall Frasca ever racing at Reno before? Have any of the Frasca's ever raced? If so, when?

[dvddude]

Re: What da Focke??

This is what I know for certain:

The FW in the picture in my O.P. is Frasca's that was at Oshkosh. It has a P&W 2800 and a three blade prop. It has not suffered any problems other then an oil cooling issue.

Small point, but Frasca's FW never made Oshkosh, FWIW!

[flyingjibus]

Re: What da Focke??

Well "Mr Poop in my punch bowl", dont you know its silly season?
Your points are sound.

Nothing is for certain until Sunday!

I will continue to research and post what I find.

[hattend]

Re: What da Focke??

Any of the picture takers get a shot with the plane's N-Number? That'll show you who owns it, right?

Don

[Lowell]

Re: What da Focke??

The proof would be:

N190RF
Serial Number 980 574
Manufacturer Name:FOCKE WULF FLUGZEUGBAU Certificate Issue Date 03/24/2010
Model FW 190A-9

FRASCA INTERNATIONAL INC
URBANA, ILLINOIS 61802

Engine Manufacturer P & W
Engine Model R-2800 SERIES
A/W Date 05/11/2010

[dvddude]

Re: What da Focke??

Well "Mr Poop in my punch bowl", dont you know its silly season?
Your points are sound.

Nothing is for certain until Sunday!

I will continue to research and post what I find.

Yes, this is true! It definitely is silly season. Thanks for anything you find out, I'm just trying to piece everything together correctly, that's all!

[dvddude]

Re: What da Focke??

Any of the picture takers get a shot with the plane's N-Number? That'll show you who owns it, right?

Don

That really has nothing to do with this discussion as the picture that flyingjibus provided on page 1 of this thread was lifted from a poster named "seafury1" who posted that picture on WIX. The picture was taken when Frasca's FW was undergoing engine runs at Chino back earlier this spring. Other than it being a Flug Werk, it really has no bearing on this discussion.

[kiwiracefan]

Re: What da Focke??

Not necessarily a true statement. As mentioned earlier, Frasca's is powered by a P&W R-2800. The one that crashed off the coast of France is being rebuilt with something other than an Ash-82. I believe there might be one or two being built with an original BMW 801, a long-nose variant that was built with a 1710, but sold to a new owner and will have an original Junkers Jumo engine in it. Yes, the Ash 82's seem to be the most common, but not all of them have it.

I had read of the Long nose getting the V1710, if i recall A.C.E did the work and it was modified to run inverted and a long nose case on it so the radiators could be installed in their correct place.. I know there is a couple of A series 190's being rebuilt with BMWs i think Mike Nixon is involved in the powerplant side of things for the White 1 project..

[dvddude]

Re: What da Focke??

The proof would be:

N190RF
Serial Number 980 574
Manufacturer Name:FOCKE WULF FLUGZEUGBAU Certificate Issue Date 03/24/2010
Model FW 190A-9

FRASCA INTERNATIONAL INC
URBANA, ILLINOIS 61802

Engine Manufacturer P & W
Engine Model R-2800 SERIES
A/W Date 05/11/2010

Lowell, thanks for that, but it really doesn't give us any more information. The fact that Frasca owns that Flug Werk was never in question. The roster participants list on the RARA website does not give N numbers, therefore we can't connect the dots between Frasca's FW and the one being entered in the races as "What da Focke".

We still have ZERO evidence that Frasca's is the one being entered in the races.

Anyone else?

[dvddude]

Re: What da Focke??

I had read of the Long nose getting the V1710, if i recall A.C.E did the work and it was modified to run inverted and a long nose case on it so the radiators could be installed in their correct place.. I know there is a couple of A series 190's being rebuilt with BMWs i think Mike Nixon is involved in the powerplant side of things for the White 1 project..

That is correct, except for one detail. The original plan was for the 1710 to be run upside down, keeping it in the same general configuration as the inverted Jumo series on the originals. Bud Wheeler was involved in the modifications for that. For whatever reason, it was decided to run the 1710 upright and not upside down. The long-nosed Flug Werk with that 1710 had been run with the engine, but never made a first flight. Apparently, that will never happen as the airframe was sold to Jerry Yagen who intends on putting the original Jumo back in it, instead of the 1710. It will fly!

Yes, Mike Nixon is quite busy these days. He is involved or will be involved with 3 original Focke Wulf engines, all to be restored to flying condition, fitted to flying FW's.

[KAHNZILLA]

Re: What da Focke??

I looked up the BMW for FW-190a and it was larger than I would have thought. Around 2500 CU. IN., so I guess you might cram a 2800 in it. I was with the 2000 thought, but maybe not.

Furious is signed up, is it coming?

I like people with money who like this sport and no matter what it is their money.

I have lots of sketches and just try to get them signed and then normaly give them away, hope to run into some of you. I will be there on Wednesday and hope for a special year (Bucky you want a VIP wrist band from 2001 with your sketch, need address?). Thanks, KC

[BuckyD]

Re: What da Focke??

Bottom line is still always gonna be: 'don't count your eggs until they're in the basket', as the old adage goes. No matter who's signed-up & paid their entry fees, it remains to be seen what planes are actually sitting on the Stead Field ramp when the arrival deadline finally comes.

If this FW entry pans-out & is successful, it will set a good new precedent of possibly having some additional classic WW2 stocker warbirds entered in the Bronze bracket for future air racing events,-that have never competed in modern era pylon competitions- Spitfire, Zero, Me-109, Hellcat, etc., & possible reappearances by P-39/P-63, P-47, P-38 as well, which fans would certainly enjoy seeing out on the course flying at speed vs. static display in a museum collection exhibit. Racing purists will downplay these as simply demo exhibitions, but so what. Just watch how popular the FW will be w/the crowd when they get to enjoy seeing that bad boy toolin' around the patch & mixing it up w/the other Unlimited slow-goers. (This topic has been discussed several times previously on the message boards in years past...how cool was it, - when the CAF would enter their exhibition demo warbirds into the Bronze events in the past...very cool indeed!)

"FURIAS"? (Please note correct spelling, unless Chuck the new owner intends to change it...) Like I just said...wait & see what surprises await us when we're there. I'm willing to bet there's a few eyebrow-raisers comin' up.

KC- check your PMs. (THX!)

DBD

[rampking]

Re: What da Focke??

I don't really care what place the Focke-Wulf finishes in.
I want to see it out of the pits and in the air.
HEY!
You want to bring back the old excitement of the Reno Air Races ?
Get that Me-262 up over the hill from Ione and fly it with the
Focke-Wulf !!
The Snowbirds are a beautiful act....
but seeing these replicas flying together would rock the world !
It isn't just about racing to me....
it is about the history of these aircraft and the pilots/crews who flew them!
I can see it now...
a beautiful windless cool morning at Stead.........
a Focke-Wulf 190 taking off with Ridge Runner III for a dawn patrol.