The Focke-Wulf Ta 154, Moskito, was a specialized night-fighter employed by the Luftwaffe during the last two years of World War II. Its prototype, the V1, performed its first test flight on July 1, 1943. It was flown by the German ace pilot Kurt Tank. With only 60 aircraft being produced, it entered service in late 1943.
Technical Characteristics
The Focke-Wulf Ta 154 was a two-engine, two-seat monoplane. It was fitted with straight wings mounted on shoulder of fuselage. The fuselage consisted of a truss frame covered with hardened wood. It had the conventional tail-fin and straight horizontal tail-plane. The landing gear was retractable. The Focke-Wulf Ta 154A-1 version was powered by two Jumo 211R, 12-cylinder, inverted V, piston engines, delivering 1,500 horse power.
Specifications
Type: fighter aircraft
Length: 12.10 m
Wingspan: 16 m
Wing Area: 32.40 sq. meters
Height: 3.5 m
Maximum Speed: 650 km/h
Range: 1365 km
Armament: two nose-mounted, 20mm MG-151 guns; two 30mm MK-108 cannons, which were set up in the rear portion of fuselage.
Below, the prototype of the Focke-Wulf Ta 154 Moskito in 1943.
