Planes

Germany

Fw 190 D-12

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Wuerger (Shrike) was a single-seat single-engine monoplane fighter used by the Luftwaffe in WWII. One of the best fighters of the time, it was widely used during the Second World War. A total of over 20,000 were produced, including some 6,000 fighter-bomber variants. The 190 remained in production from 1941 until the end of the war, going through multiple redesigns. The Fw 190 made a name for itself as a true Luftwaffe workhorse and was used in a wide variety of roles, including a high-altitude interceptor (especially the Fw 190D), escort fighter, fighter-bomber and night fighter.
The Fw 190 D 'Dora', or 'Long-Nosed 190' to the Allies, was intended as a temporary interim solution while the Ta 152 was being readied. However, the Dora ended up being one of the finest Focke-Wulf designs of the entire war. The aircraft was armed with two synchronised MG 17s and four wing-mounted MG 151s. Initially Luftwaffe pilots regarded the Dora with some suspicion. The Jumo 213 was believed to be a bomber engine and its installation on a fighter was considered a desperate measure. However, as soon as they had a chance to fight in the Dora-9, the pilots changed their minds. The new variant, compared to its BMW 801-powered predecessor, performed better in the vertical and in a dive. Additionally it had a phenomenal roll rate. The pilots quickly found that the Jumo 213-powered Focke-Wulf was superior to the venerable P-51B Mustang.
A total of 650 to 700 Fw 190 D series fighters were produced. By December 1944, the Focke-Wulf plant in Marienburg produced 8 Fw 190 Ds each day, even though the factory appeared completely destroyed from the air.