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Focke Wulf 

FW-44 Stieglitz 

1932 

Assembly and finishing Manual 

for ARF stand-off scale model 

in 1:5 scale. 

Historical data and presentation. 

Model design and construction drawing by 

Göran Kalderén © 

Rev. 2000-05-25

Swedish Airforce aircraft No 670, type FW44J, was built by Focke Wuld Flugzeugbau GmbH 

in Germany. These pictures were taken in August 1976 at Malmen by Linköping, Sweden, show all 

relevant details. This year the Swedish Airforce celebrated its 50th year anniversary. The aircraft 

was transferred from Wing No 3 to wing No 5 shortly thereafter. 

Focke Wulf FW 44 ARF 2

Focke Wulf FW44J, here at the F3 wing 

airfield, Malmslätt near Linköping, Sweden, 

preserved by the Swedish Airforce Museum. 

This aircraft is still in good flying condition and 

has been flown at air shows during recent years. 

This aircraft is one of several survivors in 

Sweden. The cockpit photos reveal that only the 

rear cockpit has full instrumentation. This was 

not common but may be a result of the aircraft 

serving as glider tow airplane, until handed over 

to the museum. 


Specifications: 

Type: Focke Wulf Fw 44J: 

Function: Sports trainer 

Crew: 2 

Engine: One Siemens Bramo Sh 14a 

Wingspan: 9.01m 

Length: 7.29m 

Height: 2.83m 

Wing area: 

20sqm 

Focke Wulf FW 44 ARF 4 

Weight: Empty: 

Loaded weight: 

Maximum speed: 

Cruising: 

Service ceiling: 

Maximum range: 

525kg 

770kg for aerobatics 

870kg for training 

900kg for touring 

115 mph 

107 mph 

12792 ft 

420 miles

Right top: Siemens Bramo Sh-14, 7 cylinder radial 

aircooled engine, 150 hp. 

Left top: Original lubrication chart for landinggear. 

This chart gives a clear view of the landingear 

design. 

Left center: Original lubrication chart for airframe 

controls. 

Below: FW44c as trainer in the German Airforce 

in 1939 -1945 with grey camouflage paint and 

contemporary unit markings. 


Focke Wulf FW-44 Stieglitz 

When Kurt Tank joined the Focke Wulf 

Flugzeugbau GmbH as technichal chief, his first 

design to take to the air in 1932 was the Fokke 

Wulf FW-44 Stieglitz (Goldfinch). It was designed 

to meet the requirements of a number of 

German expert aerobatic pilots like Gerd 

Achgelis, Emil Kropf and Ernst Udet. It proved 

to be an excellent aircraft fully capable of the 

aerobatic maneuvres performed by these pilots. 

The first prototype was equipped with an 150 hp 

Bramo Siemens Sh-14a radial engine. 

A large number of Stieglitz were sold and 

delivered to countries like Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, 

China, Finland, Hungary, Sweden, Rumania, 

Turkey and Slovakia. 

Demand could not be met within the factory 

and several aircraft were built under licence in 

Sweden, Argentinia, Turkey and Brazil. 

Work began on the Fw 44 in 1931 shortly after 

the amalgamisation of Focke-Wulf wit Albatros- 

Flugzeugwerke and was the first complete aircraft 

designed at Focke-Wulf under the guidance 

of Kurt Tank. It was designed as a two-seat biplane 

for sporting and primary training use. The 

Fw 44 was instrumental in establishing Focke- 

Wulf Flugzeugbau when substantial orders were 

received for the plane. 

The plane first flew in late summer 1932 powered 

by a seven cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 

the Bramo Siemens Sh 14a, but displayed 

many faults. Considerable test flying by Kurt 

Tank lead to much redesign, The Fw 44 

emerged as an aircraft with excellent flight characteristics 

and strength. 

The Fw 44’s reputation was much enhanced 

by its use as an aerobatic display aircraft by the 

top german pilots of the day. 

The Fw 44C, the main production model, 

was a strut and wire braced biplane, the wings 

having equal span and slight sweepback, stagger 

and dihedral. The lower wings were attached 

to the bottom of the fuselage, the upper by struts. 

The wings were of wood and fabric. The fuselage 

was of welded steel construction covered 

by metal panels as far back as the cockpit and 

the remainder by fabric. 

Our model is based on one of the remaining aircraft, 

the Focke Wulf FW44 J, now on display in 

the Swedish Airforce Museum in Linköping, Sweden. 

Restored FW 44 j flying in California, USA. 

Markings from 1937 - 1940 period of the 

Swedish Airforce. 

Present restored FW 44 c in Germany (note the 

tail wheel, necessary for hard surface runways) 

and below our model of the A/C to the right. 


Proud student pilot in front of his aircraft

German Airforce paint scheme in 

the early part of WW2 

The Model 

We have chosen the scale of 1:5 rendering 

a model size that i easy to fly but also 

relatively easy to transport. Both the upper and 

the lower wing panels can be removed for 

transportation which gives very limited 

requirement for transportation size. We 

recommend a .90 4-stroke or a .75 2-stroke 

engine. The 4 stroke engine fits in upright position 

and blends very nicely with the dummy engine 

cylindres. This aircraft was designed for 

aerobatics of the time and can be flown through 

advanced manouevres. At the same time it was 

a trainer and the low speed behaviour is rather 

docile and allows for the pilot to think... 

This model has all control surfaces 

connected in scale fashion. The ailerons are 

actuated via connecting rods to bellcranks in the 

lower wings, which i turn are connected with 

wires via pulleys to the ailerons in the lower 

wings. The upper ailerons are connected with 

dual wires from the lower ailerons in scale 

fashion. The elevator is actuated via pull-pull 

cables from the control column. The rudder in 

turn has conventional pull-pull cables to the 

rudder bar. 

The finished model is painted in 1940 

Swedish Airforce livery and further detailing can 

be made as per documentation. This model can 

also be supplied in various German liveries. 

Model specification 

Wingspan: 72" (180 cm), 

Length: 58.4" (146 cm), 

Wing area: 1138 sq inch (80 dm²) 

Weight: 11 lbs 5 oz. (5400 g) 

Wing Load: 23.5 oz/sq' (70 g/dm²) 

Engine: .60-.75 cc (10-12.5cc) 2- 

stroke, .80 - .90 4 stroke 

Covering and finish 

The model is covered and painted from the 

factory. If you are going to use a glowplug or 

gasoline engine for flying, you must coat the 

interior of the engine compartment with a fuel 

proof paint. 

Installation of engine and radio 

We recommend that you don't overpower 

this model. It will fly happily with a .60 - .75 standard 

2-stroke engine. No side or down thrust is 

deemed necessary but can easily be 

incorporated at this time. Details on page 8-9. 

Assembly of the Focke Wulf FW44 

All parts have been assembled at the 

factory and only disassembled for transportation. 

Rudder and elevator and aileron wires are 

factory adjusted but may need some tensioning 

adjustment after a while. Aileron bellcranks are 

adjustable to the connecting rod. 

Assembly of the tail unit 

1. Attach horizontal tail to fuselage using 

4 pcs 4 mm nylon countersunk screws. Make 

sure that stabilizeris flat against fuselage. 

2. Insert fin with vertical spar into 

fuselage. Attach fin using 2 pcs 4 mm nylon 

countersunk screws. Make sure that fin is 

perpendicular to stabilizer. 

3. Attach the fin supports with a 2mm 

screw and nut in the fin and #2 x 1/4" sheet metal 

screws in the stabilizer. 

4. Attach the stabilizer support struts to 

the fuselage using # 2 x 1/4" screws. 

5. Attach the rudder with the hinge pins 

and connect the rudder wires to the rudder horn 

and the elevator wires to the elevator horns. 

Check the action of elevator and rudder. 

Continued on page 10 > 


Cut out in 

top panel 

Throttle needle 

Fuel 

filing 

tube 

Radio switch on 

forward cockpit 

instrument panel 

Landing gear secured 

with 3 mm bolts and 

lock nuts 

Dummy 

exhaust tube may be left 

for appearance 

Throttle 

linkage 

and fuel 

tubings 

Header 

Installation of engine, tank and radio 

We installed an OS .90 4-stroke 

surpass engine and used a flexible header 

to lead the exhaust under the fuselage in a 

near scale fashion. We also used a 12 Oz. 

tank. 

1. Remove the dummy engine by 

loosening the two screws in the front collector 

ring and remove the 2 2 mm screws 

and nuts that holds the exhaust tube. 

2. Drill the holes in the engine mount 

and install 4 6-32 blind nuts for the engine 

bolts. 

3. Cut out for the engine in the top 

cover panel. and drill the hole for the header 

in the engine mounting board and in the bottom 

cover. 


Header exit in 

line with dummy silencer 

One dummy cylinder is 

removed

Rudder and elevator servo 

in forward tray 

Twin coupled aileron servos in 

rearward tray 

Tank in the upper tray 

center, throttle servo 

to the right 

Header is 

routed to 

bottom 

aluminum 

panel and exits 

in line with 

dummy 

exhaust 

Receiver and 

battery pack 

to the left, secured 

with 

rubber 

bands 

4. Remove one cylinder 

from the top of the dummy engine 

and adjust the cutout in the “crankcase”. 

Replace the dummy engine 

and check for fit. The OS .90 blends 

nicely with the dummy. Cut out and 

adjust the rear portion of the exhaust 

tube and bend the header 

tube to suit the outline. Attach the 

header tube with a clamp to the 

dummy silencer. 

5. Install the throttle servo 

in the top compartment and connect 

to the throttle lever. 

6. Install the tank with silicone 

tube connections. 

7. Install the aileron, rudder 

and elevator servos in the respective 

servo trays. Not that the two 

aileron servos are interconnected. 

8. Place the receiver and 

the battery pack along the tank. The 

switch can be mounted on the from 

cockpit instrument panel. 

9. Connect the aileron servos 

with ball links or clevices to the 

aileron push rods. 

10. The same applies to the 

rudder and elevator servos connection 

to the rudder bar and the control 

column. 

Check for correct throws on the 

control surfaces. The elevator and 

ailerons should deflect 20°, the rudder 

almost 30°. 


The wood and metal construction of the model 

Built up 

dummy 

engine 

Functional 

scale aileron 

control 

system 

Dummy engine is 

built from wood and 

metal. Aileron control 

is by wire per 

prototype. Rudder / 

elevator control by 

wire to control 

column and rudder 

bar. Spung tailskid in 

scale fashion. 


Landing gear has scale oleo, rubber 

dampened, spring action as the full size 

aircraft. Right hand side aluminum 

panel removed. 

The elevator is actuated with the joy-stick and 

the rudder with the rudder bar. 

Assembly of wing panels 

1. Push the lower wing halves into the holes 

in the fuselage. 

2. Attach the upper wing using the 4 Allen 

6-32 screws supplied (note that the front screws 

are longer and the rear screws shorter). Connect 

the aileron bellcranks with push rods to the servo 

in the fuselage. Install the link wires between the 

lower and upper ailerons. Adjust length so that 

all ailerons are neutral. Check the movement of 

the ailerons. We recommend that you attach the 

aileron pushrods in a manner, acheiving 

differential throw of the aileron. Attach the flying 

wires in place. Attach the landing wires in place. 

3. Install the interplane struts. Secure with 

2 mm screws and 2 mm lock nuts. Note that the 

rear strut is adjustable at the attachment point 

in the lower wing. By turning the screw up or 

down you can adjust the wing outer section 

incidence and the wash out of the upper wing. 

Landing gear 

Install the landing gear by securing the legs 

with 3 mm screws and lock nuts. The centre 

point schould be attached to the landing gear 

support tripod with a 3 mm screw and lock nut. 

Install the wheels on the shaft and secure 

with the stoppers. This type of landing gear relies 

on the spring action of the rubber in the oleo 

mounting in the landing gear. This is a very 

efficient shock absorber. If worn out the rubber 

can easily be replaced with a fresh, longer one. 

Balancing 

The center of gravity / balancing point 

should be approx. approx. 13 cm (5.2") 

measured from the leading edge center of the 

upper wing. Placing the C/G up to ½" further 

forward makes the airplane steadier but limits 

the aerobatic capability. Make adjustments if 

necessary to suit your flying taste.. 

Flying 

The prototype was flown with a OS .90 

4-stroke FS which provides ample thrust. Let the 

engine swing a 16x6 propeller if possible. This 

gives better thrust outside the big dummy engine 

and reduces sound to a more realistic level. 

Flying characteristics are very forgiving 

and will fly hapily on half trottle. Set the elevator 

at zero angle for the first flight but be prepared 

to give down elevator if the model climbs out too 

steep. During the initial take off run you have to 

compensate for the torque with right rudder but 

as the speed builds up the rudder is returned to 

neutrual. This model should fly of the ground and 

not be pulled. 

The landing approach can be rather 

steep as per prototype but the flare out needs 

almost full up elevator. Get the tail down to 

maintain directional stability. Remember this 

was the mount of many of the German aerobatic 

aces. 

Happy landings! 


What is in the box: 

The ARF kit contains the parts shown in the picture. 

All the parts are covered and painted. All the rigging 

wires are supplied in the correct lengths and need 

only to be clipped to their positions. 

16 

4 

9 

7 

12 

11 

14 

1 

13 

15 

4 

8 

5 

8 

2 

6 

10 

3 

1. Fuselage with wing cabane 

2. Landing gear with scale function 

3. Scale wheels 

4. Dummy engine with manifold 

5. Scale propeller 

6. Tail skid assy. 

7. Fin with rudder 

8. Stabilizer / elevator 

9. Upper wing panels 

10. Lower wing panels 

11. Interplane struts 

12. Aileron connecting wires 

13. Landing wires with turnbuckles 

14. Flying wires with turnbuckles 

15. Cabane cross-support wires 

16. Assembly manual with scale documentation 

K&W 

Model 

Airplanes Inc. 


P.O.Box 1229, Cebu City Centrl. Postoffice 

Cebu City 6000, Philippines 

Visiting address: 

3343 Gun-Ob, Kinalumsan, 

Lapu-Lapu City 6015, PHILIPPINES 

Phone +63 32-340 7147, Cellular +63 917-3200 985 

Telefax +63 32-340 7131, E-mail: kwmairpl@gsilink.com 

Website http://www.gsilink.com/user/kwmairpl

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