Trouble-making raven - Focke-Wulf Ta183 'Huckebein'. Compiled by Alex Halley

 Dr. Hans Multhopp

In the first months of 1942, a team of engineers from Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau AG, under the leadership of Dr. Hans Multhopp analyzed data on the possibility of starting a new project of turbo jet fighters. As a result of this preliminary work, this culminated in 1945 as a fighter project known as Huckebein. The name 'Huckebein' is a reference to a trouble-making raven (Hans Huckebein der Unglücksrabe) from an illustrated story in 1867 by Wilhelm Busch...

...but let's start at the beginning

The next variants development of Butcher's - Focke-Wulf Fw190. Part 3. Compiled by German Dzib

High-altitude developments

Tank started looking at ways to address the altitude performance problem early in the program. In 1941, he proposed a number of versions featuring new powerplants, and he suggested using turbochargers in place of superchargers. Three such installations were outlined

Fw 190 V12
(an A-0) would be outfitted with many of the elements which eventually led to the B series.

Fw 190 V13

The Fw 190C V18 prototype, with large ventral "pouch" fairing for
the turbocharger installation and broader-chord vertical fin/rudder.

(W.Nr. 0036) first C-series prototype

Fw 190 V15
(W.Nr. 0036) second C-series prototype

Fw 190 V16
(W.Nr. 0036) third C-series prototype

Fw 190 V18
(W.Nr. 0036) fourth C-series prototype

Fw 190 B-0
With a turbocharged BMW 801

Fw 190 B-1
This aircraft was similar to the B-0, but had slightly different armament. In its initial layout, the B-1 was to be fitted with four 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 17s and two 20 mm MG-FFs. One was fitted with two MG 17s, two 20 mm MG 151s and two 20 mm MG-FFs. After the completion of W.Nr. 811, no further Fw 190 B models were ordered.

Focke-Wulf Fw190 - Variants. Part 2. Compiled by German Dzib

Variants 

First prototypes (BMW 139)

Fw 190 V1 in its original form with the streamlined engine cowling
and ducted spinner. The pointed tip of the internal spinner can also be seen.
 Pilot is probably Hans Sander.

Fw 190 V1

(civil registration D-OPZE), powered by a 1,550 PS (1,529 hp, 1,140 kW) BMW 139 14-cylinder two-row radial engine. (5) D-OPZE first flew on 1 June 1939. (18) 

Fw 190 V2

Designated with the Stammkennzeichen alphabetic ID code of FL+OZ (later RM+CB) the V2 first flew on 31 October 1939 and was equipped from the outset with the new spinner and cooling fan. It was armed with one Rheinmetall-Borsig 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 17 machine gun and one 13 mm (.51 in) synchronized MG 131 machine gun in each wing root. (19) 

Beauty under the Sky - Ta152. Part 1 - The Begining

Kurt Tank

Backround

From beginning of  British government held talks with the US government, bout joint military action by air (after joining the war) having the target - inflict heavy losses for armaments industry of the Third Reich. The Reich situation clearly deteriorated precisely from the moment when the British bomber fleet (operating mostly at night) joined by two US Air fleet. Yankees have started massive daily raids on the territory of the Reich. By 1944 industry of the German Reich was totally plagued by hundreds of Allied bombers. In addition to the progress of allied ground troops on each of the front, the sky was becoming to be the most threat affecting III Reich. As never before. From 1942/1943 for RLM ( Reichsluftfahrtministerium) became clear that to effectively combat with hundreds of bombers operting at high altitudes, Germany needed interceptor that operates at this same altitudes or higher.  In this challenge, Messerschmitts and Focke-Wulfs machines proved to be ineffective.