Focke-Wulf Fw 190

German fighter plane


The FOCKE-WULF 190 fighter plane can be safely classified as one of the best fighter planes of the Second World War. It was constructed and developed in a team of designers led by Professor Kurt Tank. From the moment it was introduced into the armament, the Luftwaffe was the strength of the German air force and was one of the most difficult opponents to defeat for the Allied air forces.
The A-3 version is derived directly from the earlier A-2. In the spring of 1942, the serial production of the BMW 801 D-2 engine was launched. The power increased to 1730 HP by increasing the compression ratio in the cylinders and increasing the speed of the compressor. Starting from this version, A-series airframes were widely used in extensive research programs aimed at obtaining the most advantageous variants of armament and equipment. The A-3 version of the aircraft was produced until July 1942.

The escalation of the activities of the Allied bomber in mid-1941 increased the interest of the Luftwaffe in high-altitude fighters. The start of mass bombing of industrial centers and cities in January 1942 forced the search for a new fighter plane. The carpet raids were carried out from a high altitude, inaccessible to German fighters. Experiments with the Fw 190 В and C series aircraft did not give good results.
Only the use of the Jurno 213 engine in the Fw 190 V17, which became the model for the Fw 190 D-0 series, gave a chance to create a mass-produced high-altitude fighter. The Jurno 213 was a V, fuel-injected, auto-regulating engine. Other changes introduced to the new plane were the extension of the rear fuselage section by 50 cm, reinforcement of the tail wheel, installation of the pressurized cabin cover. It is also envisaged to use an airfoil with an enlarged supporting surface. The aircraft modified in this way became a model for the Fw 190 D-0 version, but it was not put into production. Also, the Fw 190 D-1 and D-2 versions were not accepted for serial production. The next version of the aircraft was the Fw 190 D-9. The plane was powered by a Jurno 21 ЗА engine, and had a wing with an area of ​​18.3 sq m unchanged compared to the Fw 190 A. The armament consisted of two MG 131 located above the engine and two MG 151/20 in the wing root. This version went into series production in August 1944 and on September 7 the first serial plane was tested. The first unit to receive new planes was the lll./JG 54 "Grünherz". The pilots initially approached the new plane with a lot of distrust, but after training on the new plane, they appreciated its advantages. They were mainly used to cover the Me 262 take-off and landing. Another unit that received new aircraft was the ll./JG 26 "Schlageter". This unit was stationed in Handrup in October 1944. Its task was to combat Allied bombers. the Fw 190 D-9 aircraft was a special commanded unit of Captain Waldemar Wübke, intended to protect the JV 44 unit, commanded by Adolf Galland, flying Me 262 aircraft. Another unit equipped with the Fw 190 D-9 was the regiment JG 6 "Horst Wessel" stationed in Żary This regiment performed patrol flights.

The Fw 190 D-9 aircraft was recognized as the best German fighter used in large numbers.
His late introduction into service limited his role in the fighting at the end of World War II.

Tactical and technical data of the Fw190 D-9 aircraft:
span - 10.51 m; length - 10.19 m; height - 3.36 m; take-off weight -4270 kg; engine - Junkers Jurno 213A-1 with a MW50 installation, 1770 hp; maximum speed - 686 km / h; practical ceiling -11,100 m; range - 810 km.


Technical data of FW 190 version A-3:
Span 10,506 m
Length 8,950 m
Height 3,950 m
Wing area 18.30 m2
Curb weight 2,845 kg
Maximum take-off weight 3,995 kg
Maximum speed 660 km / h
Ceiling 10,600 m
Range 800 km
Engine - BMW 801 D-2 with a capacity of 1730 hp
Weapon - 4 cannons MG 151 / 20E cal. 20 mm + 2 machine guns Mg 17 cal. 7.9 mm

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