The FW190-A5, although it is an earlier model, has the best performance of the 'short nosed' FW190's. It's fast, climbs, turns, and rolls like crazy. It is a dogfighter. It can be recognized by the broad yellow band with a black cross between the cockpit and tail. Be wary of this one down low. Firepower consists of either two or four 20mm cannons and two pitifully lite machine guns. It can also carry two 21cm rockets, and either a bomb or drop tank.

The FW190-A8 is the original 'butcher bird' with guns upon guns. It is fast and rolls great, but doesn't climb or turn as well as the A5. Its distinguishing recongition feature is its lack of markings, other than the basic black crosses. Firepower is its strength, with a choice of either four 20mm cannons and two heavy machine guns, or two 30mm cannons with two 20mm cannons and two heavy machine guns, or to save weight you can go with two 20mm cannons and two heavy machine guns. It can also carry a bomb or drop tank, and two 21cm rockets.

The FW190-F8 is a mud moving fighter bomber, distinguished by the yellow band and the yellow trim on the left wingtop. This one is set to carry bombs underwing or centerline, rather than hunt bombers or gain air supremacy. It's reasonably fast, rolls well, and dives well, but is not a dogfighter. Firepower, aside from up to five bombs, consists of two 20mm cannons and two heavy machine guns. Sufficient for most work.

The FW190-D9 is the 'perk' plane of the FW line. It is a long-nosed version, and is the fastest to carry the FW190 name. This one can be recognized not just by its tag, but by the red band and long nose. Oddly enough, at many altitudes, particulary down low, the FW190A5 has better performance numbers, as well as dogfighting ability. Firepower consists of two 20mm cannons and two heavy machine guns, and it can carry a bomb or a drop tank.

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