page_title: Focke-Wulf Fw 190
section_title: High-altitude developments
hierarchical_section_title: Focke-Wulf Fw 190 / Variants / High-altitude developments
caption_attribution_description: English: Side view of Focke-Wulf Fw 190 V18 Deutsch: Seitenansicht der Focke-Wulf Fw 190 V18
context_page_description: The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger was a German single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft designed by Kurt Tank in the late 1930s and widely used during World War II. Along with its well-known counterpart, the Messerschmitt Bf 109, the Fw 190 became the backbone of the Luftwaffe's Jagdwaffe. The twin-row BMW 801 radial engine that powered most operational versions enabled the Fw 190 to lift larger loads than the Bf 109, allowing its use as a day fighter, fighter-bomber, ground-attack aircraft and, to a lesser degree, night fighter.
  The Fw 190A started flying operationally over France in August 1941, and quickly proved superior in all but turn radius to the Royal Air Force's main front-line fighter, the Spitfire Mk. V, particularly at low and medium altitudes. The 190 maintained superiority over Allied fighters until the introduction of the improved Spitfire Mk. IX. In November/December 1942, the Fw 190 made its air combat debut on the Eastern Front, finding much success in fighter wings and specialised ground attack units called Schlachtgeschwader from October 1943 onwards.
context_section_description: 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
  (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.
  Fw 190 C
  With a turbocharged Daimler-Benz DB 603, the tail of the aircraft had to be lengthened in order to maintain the desired centre of gravity. Four additional prototypes based on the V18/U1 followed: V29, V30, V32 and V33.
  Fw 190 D
  The Fw 190 D (nicknamed Dora; or Long-Nose Dora ("Langnasen-Dora") was intended as the high-altitude performance version of the A-series.
  Fw 190 D-0
  The first D-0 prototype was completed in October 1942 with a supercharged Junkers Jumo 213 including a pressurized cockpit and other features making them more suitable for high-altitude work.
  Fw 190 D-1
  Initial production
  Fw 190 D-2
  Initial production
  Fw 190 D-9
  The D-9 series was rarely used against heavy-bomber raids, as the circumstances of the war in late 1944 meant that fighter-versus-fighter combat and ground attack missions took priority. This model was the basis for the follow-on Focke-Wulf Ta 152 aircraft.
  Fw 190 D-11
  Fitted with the up-rated Jumo 213F series engine similar to the Jumo 213E used in the Ta-152 H series but minus the intercooler. Two 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 108 cannons were installed in the outer wings to complement the 20 mm MG 151s in the inboard positions.
  Fw 190 D-12
  Similar to the D-11, but featured the 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 108 cannon in a Motorkanone installation firing through the propeller hub.
  Fw 190 D-13
  The D-13 would be fitted with a 20 mm MG 151/20 motor cannon.
caption: The Fw 190C V18 prototype, with large ventral "pouch" fairing for the turbocharger installation and broader-chord vertical fin/rudder.
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