‘Kommandogerät:’ the complicated box that was revolutionary for flying

Mechanics are currently doing an annual inspection on the FHC’s rare German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-5. As the panels and parts come off, it gives one a chance to see a fleeting glimpse of a critical and revolutionary part of the plane. On the right side, behind the plane’s BMW 801 engine is the “Kommandogerät” (command device). This complicated box, covered with wires, tubes, and fasteners, is an electro-mechanical computer that sets the fighter’s fuel mixture, propeller pitch, boost, and magneto timing all at once. The pilot simply puts the throttle at the desired setting and the Kommandogerät does the rest, getting the most out of the 190’s powerful radial engine.