In 1934, theReich Air Ministry (RLM) declared a requirement for aKampfzerstörer (battle destroyer), a tactical multi-role fighter/bomber concept, and a possible predecessor to the late-1930s GermanSchnellbomber concept. Focke-Wulf submitted the Fw 57,Messerschmitt submitted theBf 110 andHenschel submitted theHs 124. The Fw 57 was larger than its two competitors; it was heavier and did not handle as well as them.
The Fw 57 was a twin-engine all-metal monoplane of conventional configuration, with a singlefin and rearwards-retracting maingear members comprising itstailwheel undercarriage, into the engine nacelles. The pilot and navigator sat in tandem under a longcanopy, the aft end of which had a gunner's turret.
Three Fw 57 prototypes (V1-V3) were completed during 1936. The aircraft was severely overweight and handled poorly. The originalKampfzerstörer concept, which specified a multi-role aircraft with turret-mounted armament had been abandoned by autumn 1936 in favor of the simplerZerstörer represented by the Bf 110, which omitted gun turrets and bombing capability to allow greater performance. All further research into the Fw 57 was abandoned shortly thereafter.[2][3]
Green, William.Warplanes of the Third Reich. New York:Doubleday, 1972.ISBN0-385-05782-2.
Green, William and Gordon Swanborough.The Complete Book of Fighters. New York, Smithmark, 1994.ISBN0-8317-3939-8.
Herwig, D and H. Rode.Luftwaffe Secret Projects - Ground Attack & Special Purpose Aircraft.ISBN1-85780-150-4
Munson, Kenneth (1978).German Aircraft Of World War 2 in colour. Poole, Dorsett, UK: Blandford Press.ISBN0-7137-0860-3.
Wagner, Ray and Heinz Nowarra.German Combat Planes: A Comprehensive Survey and History of the Development of German Military Aircraft from 1914 to 1945. New York: Doubleday, 1971.
