Focke-Wulf Dw 190 (Dora)

History

The original single-seat, single-engine Focke-Wulf Fw 190 was one of the two most important German front-line fighters during WWII (1939-1945) - the other became the Messerschmitt Bf 109 (detailed in this page elsewhere). Both excelled in their abilities and achieved their own wartime glory in the air.

The original form of the Fw 190 first flew in June 1939, launched in August 1939, and by the end of the war, more than 20,000 copies of all types related to the original would be produced - as with the classic Supermarine 'Spitfire', North American The P-51 'Mustang' and others were among the five best fighters of the entire war. The related Fw Ta 152, the proboscis branch of the post-war Fw 190 series, was developed as a dedicated high-altitude interceptor - but the series' production was considerably limited by wartime standards, which had little effect on its outcome.

The Fw 190 has a long range and has evolved over the years as the war went on. Over time, the Luftwaffe was desperate for better fighter jets to operate at higher operational altitudes, a move that led to a series of experiments: the turbocharged, BMW801 powered "Fw 190B" and the turbocharged, DB603 equipped with " FW190C". The ultimate goal was to counter the constant threat of high-altitude Allied heavy bombers, which appeared over German soil with surprising regularity by the end of 1944.

While the Ta 152 was developed for the same purpose, the Fw 190D variant will be used as a temporary solution until more advanced aircraft arrive.

All of this led to a more explicit form of the Focke-Wulf Jager product and became the "Fw 190D" (known as "Dora" and "Long-Nose-Dora"), replacing earlier developments. The newcomer is powered by a liquid-cooled 12-cylinder inverted V Junkers Jumo 213 series supercharged engine, unlike the radial engines in the series.

Due to the longer engines in the game, the nose section of the D model has been lengthened to move the aircraft's center of gravity (CoG) forward. As a result, the rear wing was lengthened to compensate for the change. All in all, the fuselage adds nearly 5 feet to the new aircraft, while retaining many aspects of the original Fw 190A, including the center single-seat cockpit and wing main aircraft.

However, the new engine required an overhaul of the internal structure and also required a pressurized cockpit to meet the high operating altitudes expected for the new aircraft.

The Junkers Jumo 213A delivers an impressive 1,750 hp, which can be called upon via the MW50 Emergency War Power (EWP) injection system for a total output of 2,100 hp, producing a brief extra power. The MW50 feature wasn't added until later in the aircraft's lifespan, as earlier models lacked this feature, making the Dora unpopular among experienced pilots converting to this type - low-altitude performance was greatly reduced.

In any case, the Fw 190's top speed is now increased from 405 mph to over 425 mph.

The end result is a faster launch platform that can overtake and dive into its contemporaries, turn faster and benefit from the Fw 190's proven handling characteristics, while losing its excellent roll speed.

The basic Dora entry weapon consists of 2 x 13mm MG131 machine guns in the fairing and 2 x 20mm MG151/20E automatic cannons in the wing roots, one cannon per wing root. All cannons are fired synchronously via rotating propeller blades and can be opened or closed in pairs to save ammunition. This gave the fighter a good "strike" against Allied air and ground targets. The machine guns can accept up to 400 rounds of 13mm ammunition each, while the machine guns can accept 250 rounds of ammunition each.

The fuselage can also carry an optional 1,102 lb SC500 conventionally delivered bomb on the fuselage centerline.

Dora went to war under the flag of Geschwader 3/JG in September 1944. 54 and surpassed the Fw 190A model in service at the time. Early uses of this type included fighter cover for Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters, especially during their takeoff and landing operations, where the slow jets proved most vulnerable to Allied airstrikes. However, despite its high-altitude mission, the Fw 190D was increasingly used for low- and mid-level anti-fighter and ground attack missions, which became increasingly important to the Luftwaffe as the war began in 1945.

It did so, proving a formidable adversary for the P-51D and the Spitfire Mk. XIV products that pierced the postwar skies for the Allies.

The failure of the Model D was that it was late to the war, and its production was limited in total due to a lack of available fuel, parts, and experienced pilots. Regardless, the Model D makes an excellent (if short-lived) entry-level entry into the Fw 190 fighter family, and its performance is excellent in the low-to-mid range (Dora starts to suffer anywhere above 20,000 feet).

The Dora family contains various sub-variants of its own that go beyond the basic form. A total of 1,850 examples of the original D-9 were produced, ranging from the D-9/R1 to the D-9/R20, with production beginning in August 1944.

The final D-9 production form has an overall length of 33.5 feet, a wingspan of 34.4 feet, and a height of 11 feet. Power comes from a 1,750-horsepower Jumo 213A engine that drives a three-blade constant-speed propeller unit on the nose.

Performance includes a top speed of 426 mph, a range of up to 520 miles, and a service ceiling of 39,000 feet (albeit with reduced performance). The climb rate is 3,300 feet per minute. Curb weight hits 7,700 pounds and MTOW is 10,670 pounds.

The proposed Fw 190D-10 became a "top-loaded" fighter form, with 2 x 20mm MG151 cannons at the base of the wings and 2 x 30mm MK108 cannons on the outer wing sections. The aircraft was intended to mount a 30mm MK108 nose cannon, firing through the propeller hub, but although the D-10 was promising, it was not mass-produced.

It is believed that about 17 prototypes of the Fw 190D-11 were built in total, with 7 completed prototypes. These fighter jets are equipped with Junkers Jumo 213F series engines with enlarged compressor air intakes on either side of the nose.

The model also ditched the fairing machine guns in favor of 2 x 30mm MK108 automatic cannons outside the wing root guns, similar to those on the D-10 - forming a complete artillery armament package.

Subsequent Fw 190D-12 prototypes introduced a hub-mounted automatic cannon (MK108), but only three examples completed the standard. The Fw 190D-13 has a similar shape but houses a 20mm gun in the propeller hub - its total armament of 20mm guns is now three for an impressive frontal strike. Two prototypes of this standard were completed from the Fw 190A-8 stock and were further equipped with hydraulically enhanced ailerons.

Although production orders for the D-13 have been placed, only two are said to be in service by the end of the war.

The Fw 190D-14 builds on work done in the earlier D-12 entry, integrating the DB603 radial piston engine into the Fw 190D's existing elongated fuselage. The aircraft first flew on November 20, 1944, but was cancelled in January 1945 as attention turned to its successor, the D-15.

The Fw 190D-15 was introduced in January 1945, based on the Fw 190A-8/A-9, with a DB603 production engine and extended tail. However, the end of the war ensured that the model had no war effects - only one prototype is believed to have been completed.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes