While radial engines were rare in land-based fighters due to their large size causing increased drag, Tank believed it could be streamlined to minimize this downside.
While the BMW 801 was heavier and longer, increasing the weight of the Fw 190 and requiring a larger wingspan, it had a slightly higher horsepower of 1,600 and more potential for growth.
Kurt Tank, also the designer of the Focke-Wulf, believed a radial engine would be the best choice for the new fighter for three main reasons.
Second, despite its larger size and greater weight, it offered more power and suffered less drag penalties than a liquid-cooled engine.
During the flight, the air cooling system through the small central orifice of the engine cowling proved to be inadequate.