The W.A.R. FW-190 A1 is a single-seat half-scale homebuilt replica of a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighter. In the early 1970s, Kend Rand designed his KR-1, a
single seat low wing retractable monoplane powered by a VW engine that flew in 1972. By the development of the KR-1, he pioneered a state-of-the-art
foam-and-fiberglass composite construction method which has now become standard in homebuilt, commercial, and military aircraft. Its strength-to-weight
ratio was superior to conventional construction methods, and the ease of shaping compound curves produces fast, clean surfaces. Based on the succes
of the technics used in the KR-1, and the idea of flying in your own low cost replica of a WW II figther aircaft, War Aircraft Replicas of Santa Paula,
California, was founded. The basic idea was to make a plywood box fuselage around which you can shape polystyrene foam complemented
with epoxy covering to match the aircraft wanted like the Fw-190. The main structure of all types is a wooden framework for the fuselage and wings,
using polyurethane foam to build up the fuselage shape and wing aerofoil profile. The foam and wood is covered with fiberglass matting, reinforced
where structurally necessary. All types are with retractable undercarriage and sliding canopy. In July 1973, War Aircraft Replicas of Santa Paula,
California, began design of an approximately half-scale replica of the Fw-190, the first of a series of replicas of World War II aircraft using
similar constructional techniques. The first prototype made its maiden flight on 21 August 1974. The prototype aircraft was displayed at the
Experimental Aircraft Association convention in 1974. Realistic details such as simulated fabric surfaces, and detailed smoke trails were noted.
The aircraft was fitted with an electrically retractable tailwheel undercarriage to match the configuration of the original aircraft. The initial
powerplant specified was a 1600 cc Volkswagen air-cooled engine, driving a three-bladed fixed pitch propeller. Since the introduction at the EAA
convention in 1974, over 1500 sets of plans and kits are sold by War Aircraft Replicas and the later formed W.A.R. Aircraft Replicas International,
Inc. in Florida. The original used Volkswagen engine, small Continental Motors and Lycoming Engines of 100 to 120 hp and (75 to 89 kW) and the
Australian-built 7-cylinder Rotec R2800, of 110 hp have commonly been used. Next to the FW-190, reproductions are offered of the F4-U Corsair; P-47
Thunderbolt; Messerschmidtt Bf109; A6 M2 Zero; Sea Fury and P-51 Mustang. Handling on them is fighterlike, and they are rated to ± 6g.
On 2 January 1979, G. Titeca reserved registration OO-90 in Belgium for an home-built aircraft based on the W.A.R. plans of the FW-190.
The construction of the aircraft lasted from 1979 to 1984 and on 2 August 1984, the aircraft was finally registered OO-90 as W.A.R Fw 190 Replica
c/n 209 with G. Titeca. On 13 April 1984, the OO-90 flew first at Ostend. After a period of flying in Belgium in a grey Luftwaffe camo as 'OO+90', the
OO-90 moved to Neuburg-Egweil airfield in Germany and in October 1999 the OO-90 was regsitered with Karl Alwin, Neuburg an Donau. On 1 January 2001,
the OO-90 collided near Neuburg with a German Dornier Do-27 but the OO-90 could land safely. On 29 May 2001, registration OO-90 was cancelled and on
22 April 2002, Karl Alwin reserved registration D-ERFW for the W.A.R Fw 190 Replica. On 9 November 2004, the aircraft was permitted to fly as D-ERFW
as a Karl/FW.190A-1 Half Scale Replica c/n 209 with 2004 as the year of the aircraft. The permit to fly the D-ERFW was renewed several times until
28 April 2011, when the permit expired and the aircraft was given as no longer airworthy. On 28 July 2015, the permit was reissued, but the aircraft
was sold in the Netherlands and didn't fly anymore as D-ERFW. On 19 April 2016, the aircraft was registered PH-ROA in the Netherlands as the WAR Fw-190
c/n 1999 instead of 209. The number 1999 however was not the c/n but a typo derived from the type certificate L-1999. On 6 July 2016, the type and c/n
of the PH-ROA were corrected into WAR FW-190 A1 (half-scale replica) c/n 209. The powersource of the PH-ROA is a Continental O-200-A air-cooled,
horizontally opposed, four-cylinder, direct-drive aircraft engine. On 13 February 2017, the aircraft was seen at Hoogeveen airfield short for a test
flight. The testflight ended with an unfortunate landing. On 3 November 2017, registration PH-ROA was cancelled as written off / withdrawn from use.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
