Focke-Wulf Ta 152
| Ta 152 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| British-captured Ta 152 H-1, Werknummer 150168, scrapped 1946. | |
| Role | Interceptor |
| Manufacturer | Focke-Wulf |
| Designer | Kurt Tank |
| Introduction | January 1945 (service entry) |
| Primary user | Luftwaffe |
| Number built | 43 identified, with six prototypes |
| Developed from | Focke-Wulf Fw 190 |
The Focke-Wulf Ta 152 was a World War II German high-altitude fighter-interceptor designed by Kurt Tank and produced by Focke-Wulf. The Ta 152 was a development of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 aircraft. It was intended to be made in at least three versions—the Ta 152H Höhenjäger ("high-altitude fighter"), the Ta 152C designed for medium-altitude operations and ground-attack using a different engine and smaller wing, and the Ta 152E fighter-reconnaissance aircraft with the engine of the H model and the wing of the C model.
The first Ta 152H entered service with the Luftwaffe in January 1945. While total production—including prototypes and pre-production aircraft—has been incorrectly estimated in one source at approximately 220 units, only some 43 production aircraft were ever delivered before the end of the European conflict. These were too few to allow the Ta 152 to make a significant impact on the air war.
The Fw 190's BMW 801 engine was originally designed for bomber and transport aircraft flying at medium altitudes in the 15,000 to 20,000 feet (4,600 to 6,100 m) range. In keeping with this role it used a relatively simple supercharger that lacked performance above 20,000 feet (6,100 m) altitude. This presented a problem for fighter use, where high-altitude performance was desirable, but by carefully tuning the aircraft it emerged as a powerful medium altitude design. Several experimental models of the 190 with different engines were experimented with to improve high altitude performance, but these were never high priority projects.
The entry of the United States into the war brought with it a series of heavy bombers and escort fighters optimized for operations at higher altitudes, around 25,000 feet (7,600 m). At these altitudes, the 190 found itself at a distinct disadvantage, and this problem became accute by early 1944 when the P-51 Mustang arrived. This led to the introduction of the Fw 190D-9, mounting the Junkers Jumo 213 engine which had a two-stage supercharger and much better altitude performance. However, the rest of the aircraft's design, especially the relatively short wings, made it difficult to fly at high altitudes. While the D-9 upgrade was expedient, it was not ideal.
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