Markings for Fw 189C/V-6, Rechlin, Autumn 1940.

In the spring of 1937, based on the experience of the Spanish Civil War, the German Technical Department developed requirements for an attack aircraft. For the direct support of troops on the battlefield and the breakthrough of deeply echeloned enemy defenses, a twin-engine aircraft with small dimensions, reliable armor protection, and powerful armament was necessary. Projects from four companies were considered on a competitive basis, including Focke-Wulf. Within the competition, specialists from this company converted their Fw 189V-1 with two Argus As 410 engines into a two-seat attack aircraft. The main part of the conversion involved replacing the central gondola with an armored cabin housing the pilot and gunner. Several variants were produced, and the third aircraft in the experimental series, the Fw 189V-6, became the Fw 189C attack aircraft. It was equipped with more powerful engines, and its armament included 2 MG-FF 20mm cannons and 4 MG17 machine guns, while the defensive armament consisted of MG81 machine guns. The aircraft underwent testing in Rechlin in the fall of 1940, but despite good results, it did not go into production. The primary attack aircraft of the Luftwaffe a bit later became the single-engine Hs 129A.