Focke-Wulf 190A-8 restoration

I've had the opportunity follow this project since 2007. The restoration is taking place at
an independent aircraft maintenance hangar in Baton Rouge. The project is being
funded by a private, single owner. The owner found this wreckage in Reims, France
and had it shipped back to Baton Rouge about eight years ago. Only about 15% of the
original airframe was usable. The rest of the parts were manufactured from a plant in
Germany according to the original specifications. Nothing is known about the original
plane and who flew it. However, it was built in 1945 by the Weser Flugzeugbau
company and shot down in 1945. The current paint scheme is actual but not to this
particular plane. The engine is not original but is a version of the Wright Cyclone radial
engine built in 1980. The owner claims that the original 801 radials used were built
hastily and to last only 15-20 hours. They figured by then, the plane would be shot
down or damaged. As of 2009, the project is around 90% complete and will be
airworthy within two years.
April 2007
January 2009