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Focke-Wulf Fw 56 Stösser

Trainer · Germany · Interwar (1919–1938)

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The Focke-Wulf Fw 56 Stösser ("Goshawk") was a German single-seat parasol-monoplane modern trainer / fighter trainer — the Luftwaffe's principal fighter-pilot transition aircraft of the late 1930s. Kurt Tank designed the Fw 56 in 1933-1934; the prototype first flew in November 1933. About 580 Fw 56s were built between 1935 and 1940 at Focke-Wulf Bremen + several licensed plants. The aircraft served the Luftwaffe + ~5 export operators in modern-trainer roles through the early 1940s.

The Fw 56 used an Argus As 10C V-8 inverted engine (240 hp). Maximum speed 280 km/h, range 410 km, service ceiling 6,200 m. Armament: 2 × MG 17 7.92 mm machine guns (when configured as fighter trainer). The parasol-monoplane layout + open cockpit + responsive controls + ability to carry light armament made the Fw 56 ideal for transitioning student pilots from primary trainers to in-service fighters.

Fw 56 service was concentrated in Luftwaffe modern flight schools 1935-1941 — preparing pilots for transition to Bf 109 + Bf 110 + Fw 190 fighters. In-service use included Condor Legion 1.A/88 in Spain (1937-1938 — limited ground-attack + reconnaissance role) + Bulgarian, Hungarian, Romanian, Austrian air forces. The aircraft set 4 international aerobatic records 1934-1937. About 4 Fw 56 airframes survive in 2026 at European museums.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Focke-Wulf Fw 56 Stösser was a German single-seat trainer plane from the 1930s. The German word Stösser means 'Goshawk,' which is a type of hawk. The plane was used to teach pilots how to fly fighters before they moved up to real fighter planes.

The Fw 56 was a parasol-monoplane. That means the wing sat on top of the body, held up by short struts. This open-cockpit plane gave the student pilot a great view in all directions.

Kurt Tank designed the Fw 56 in 1933 and 1934. About 580 were built between 1935 and 1940. The plane could carry two small machine guns so students could practice shooting at targets in the air.

The Fw 56 used a 240-horsepower Argus V-8 engine. Its top speed was 174 mph, which is faster than most race cars today. The plane is about as long as a small pickup truck. Famous German pilot Ernst Udet liked the Fw 56 so much that he often did aerobatic stunts in it at airshows.

Fun Facts

The German word Stösser means 'Goshawk,' a type of hawk.
The Fw 56 was used to train new fighter pilots in Germany.
About 580 Fw 56s were built between 1935 and 1940.
The plane had its wing held above the body on short struts — a parasol monoplane.
Famous German pilot Ernst Udet flew aerobatic stunts in an Fw 56 at airshows.
Its top speed was 174 mph — faster than most race cars today.

Kids’ Questions

What is a parasol-monoplane?

A monoplane is a plane with one set of wings. A parasol-monoplane has the wing held up over the top of the body, with the cockpit underneath. The wing acts like a beach umbrella over the pilot. This shape gave the pilot a very wide view of the sky and ground.

Why did fighter pilots train on the Fw 56?

The Fw 56 was nimble, fast, and could carry guns for target practice. New pilots could learn how to handle a quick plane and how to shoot at targets in the air. After mastering the Fw 56, students moved up to real fighter planes like the Bf 109.

Variants

Fw 56A (basic): Standard production. About 500 built.
Fw 56B (improved): Late-production refined variant. About 80 built.

Notable Operators

Luftwaffe (1935-1941): Principal user. Advanced flight schools + Bf 109 / Bf 110 conversion training.
~5 export operators: Bulgarian, Hungarian, Romanian, Austrian, Bolivian air forces. Combined ~80 airframes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Fw 56 a parasol monoplane?

The parasol-monoplane layout (wing mounted above the fuselage on struts) gave the pilot exceptional downward visibility — critical for landing approach + ground-attack training. The configuration provided some of the visibility advantages of a biplane (open cockpit, clear sight lines) with the performance advantages of a monoplane (cleaner aerodynamics, higher speed). Luftwaffe flight training valued the combination for modern training role.

Sources

Wikipedia — Focke-Wulf Fw 56