The Focke-Wulf Ta 152 was a one of the fastest fighter aircraft of World War II. Used by the Luftwaffe, it was developed in 1944 from the Fw 190D-9 version, which had been conceived for high-altitude dogfights and interception missions. This combat plane variant was fitted with a pressurized cockpit and powered by a Junkers Jumo 213 engine, which would be replaced by a more powerful one. The result of this upgrade gave the new aircraft a longer fuselage.
The prototype of Focke-Wulf Ta 152 first flew in late March 1944. It was the Ta 152A, which was one that began the series of prototypes. Although the test flights were acceptable, this program would be dropped as new prototypes would be created; thus, the Ta 152B would be followed by the Ta 152C/E/ and H. The latter one, the Ta 152H-0 was the most numerous prototype built, with 20 units produced at Cottbus plant, near Berlin. They were fast and very maneuverable, but they never entered mass production as Germany was already losing the war and her factories were being bombed day and night. A total of only 65 Focke-Wulf Ta 152 were built and some of them saw combat action in early April 1945.
Specifications (Ta 152H
Type: Fighter
Length: 10.82 m (35 ft, 6 in)
Wingspan: 14.44 m (47 ft, 5 in)
Wing Area: 23.5 sq. meters
Height: 3.36 m (11 ft)
Power Plant: one Junkers Jumo 213E/B, 12-cylinder, inverted 'V', inline piston engine.
Maximum Speed: 718 km/h
Ceiling: 14,800 m high
Armament: one 30mm Rheinmetall-Borsig MK-108 cannon; two 20mm Mauser MG151 guns, with one mounted in each wing.
Below, the Focke-Wulf Ta 152H. Photo taken in late May, after the war.
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