User Manual

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Focke-Wulf Ta 152 H (Höhenjäger), History
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 Daimler-Benz DB 603
and smaller wings, 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 Luftwae in January 1945. The Ta 152 was produced
too late and in insucient numbers to aect the outcome of the war. Kurt Tank originally
designed the Ta 152 using the Daimler-Benz DB 603 engine as it oered better high-altitude
performance and also a greater developmental potential.
The Ta 152‘s fuselage was an extended version of the Fw 190D-9 fuselage with wider-chord
fixed vertical tail surfaces. Due to the changes in the center of gravity and overall balance, the
nose was also lengthened.
To reach higher altitudes, a pressurized cockpit was added to the H models. The H model had
heavy armament to allow it to deal quickly with enemy aircraft. It had three weapons: one
30 mm (1.18 in) MK 108 Motorkanone cannon centered within the propeller hub and two
20 mm MG 151/20 cannons, synchronized to fire through the propeller, located in the wing
roots.
The Ta 152H-1 was among the fastest piston-engined fighters of the war, with a top speed
comparable to the twin-engined Dornier Do 335. It was capable of 755 kilometres per hour
(469 mph) at 13,500 metres (44,300 ft) using the GM-1 nitrous oxide boost.
Kurt Tank was flying an unarmed Ta 152H in late 1944 to a meeting at the Focke-Wulf plant
in Cottbus when ground controllers warned him of two P-51 Mustangs. The enemy aircraft
appeared behind Tank, but he escaped by applying full power and engaging the MW 50 boost
„until they were no more than two dots on the horizont“