FirePower Series Aircraft

 

 

Focke-Wulf  Ta152

 

History:

Focke-Wulf Ta 152 C-1/R31

The Focke-Wulf Ta 152 series was considered Kurt Tank's crowning achievement with respect to the development of a high altitude reconnaissance fighter and interceptor.  The Ta 152 was similar in general layout to the Fw 190D, as it used a liquid-cooled inverted V-12 for motive power.  But the airframe was considerably different.  The wings were slightly larger and the fuselage and tailplane were significantly improved and modified.  In addition, the nose was further streamlined and the aircraft was fitted with a bubble-type canopy for better pilot visibility.  The Ta 152 C was the first production version of the series.  It had an increased fuel capacity of 280 U.S. gallons total in the wings and fuselage, and was fitted with a Daimler-Benz DB 603L which used the MW50 methanol-water injection to increase takeoff power to 2,100 HP.  This aircraft was considered a medium-altitude fighter and was undoubtedly one of the finest fighters to emerge from World War II.  It retained the superb roll rate of the Fw 190 but with greatly increased power and range.

Only a few Ta 152 C-1/R31 aircraft entered service in April 1945. This outstanding fighter was highly maneuverable and well-armed, but probably never used in combat. It was the final model of the Focke-Wulf Fw-190 series. Equipped with Rustsatze R31, it would have served well as an all-weather low and medium level fighter and fighter-bomber.

Focke-Wulf Ta 152 H-1

The Ta 152 H-1 was similar in general layout to the Fw 190D, as it used a liquid-cooled inverted V-12 for motive power.  But the airframe was considerably different.  The wings were much larger and the fuselage and tailplane were significantly improved and modified.  In addition, the nose was further streamlined and the aircraft was fitted with a bubble-type canopy for better pilot visibility, and the cockpit was pressurized.  The Ta 152 H-1 is considered to be the definitive version of the series.  It had a fuel capacity of 260 U.S. gallons total in the wings and fuselage, and was fitted with a Junkers Jumo 213 E-1 engine which used both the MW50 methanol-water injection and the GM-1 nitrous oxide injection to increase available power at both high and low altitudes.  This aircraft was designed as a high-level reconnaissance fighter and interceptor.  It did not have the fast roll rate of the Ta 152 C owing to the drastically increased wingspan, but the trade-off was the aircraft's very high operational altitude -- its ceiling was over 48,000 feet and it could reach a top speed of 472 miles per hour at 41,000 feet with the GM-1 boost.

Distinctive characteristics:

 

Cockpit Panel:

 

Reaching for the skies

Ta152C

 

Ta152H

 

Armament

Ta152 C

 

Ta152H – lighter armed than the C variant to reduce weight

 

Ergonomic cockpit layout

Focke-Wulf designer, Kurt Tank, had a reputation for creating cockpits designed around the pilot

Below is an example of how the Focke-Wulf combines the throttle and prop pitch on the same handle.

 

 

Flying characteristics:

Ta152C

The Ta152C retains almost all of the virtues of its predecessor (A-variant), yet adds a more powerful engine and range.  It has a fast roll rate, and can take a good deal of punishment, thanks to armor being placed in critical areas.  Like the former A variant, stalls can be sudden and harsh.  This is a heavy, powerful aircraft, which should be handled with care.

 

Ta152H

The H variant’s primary purpose is to intercept aircraft at very high altitudes.  To reach this goal, the wingspan was extended by over 10 feet.  The roll-rate is about half the rate of the C variant, and the stalls are more forgiving.

 

Pilot Comments:

Ta152C

"The Ta 152 C is fast and has an excellent rate of roll, as good or better than the Allied fighters it opposes.  This will allow the aircraft to rapidly change direction and shake a pursuer, denying him anything but a very difficult deflection shot at best.  However, in a horizontal turn the Ta 152 C will not be able to stay with the best Allied fighters, such as the Spitfire IXe or P-51D.  It's best to fight these enemies with a vertical battle, climbing and diving away and using the agility of the Ta 152's roll rate to ultimately get your opponent in your gunsights.  The Ta 152 C's true strength is as a high-altitude interceptor, not as a dogfighter.  Although extremely well-armed, it's much heavier than the Fw 190 A-8, and simply cannot stay with a top-notch Spitfire or Mustang pilot in a turning fight.  Beware of the Ta 152's stall; like the Fw 190, it is sudden and vicious and will result in a spin if recovery is not prompt."

 

Ta152H

"This aircraft was one of the most advanced piston-engined fighters to come out of the war, and was as good or better than contemporary Allied fighters in most of the areas that count.  The one Achille's Heel is its relatively slow rate of roll.  Because of the very large wing span, this plane can't roll as quickly as the Ta 152 C or the Fw 190, which means you don't want to get into a turning fight with a Mustang or Spitfire.  Use the plane's high speed and good rate of climb to your advantage, but avoid trying to match the enemy in an aileron turn.  However, the large wing area and span offsets the Ta 152 H's extra weight to some degree, and allows the plane to heel around fairly tightly in a steep turn  -- more tightly than the Ta 152 C-1.  The best strategy against these highly maneuverable Allied fighters is a head-on approach, since the Ta 152 cannot turn with them.  You'll want to have used up some fuel before dogfighting, since the rear fuselage tank tends to foul up the handling."

 

Combat tactics:

Ta152C

Engaging fighters:

This is a heavy, powerful aircraft designed to hit hard, and hit once.  Keep your speed high, and avoid turning battles with the more nimble fighters.  Just a hit or two from the 30mm cannon will bring almost any fighter to its certain demise.  Don’t forget to use your WEP.

 

Engaging bombers:

You can take out the heaviest bomber with only a ½ second burst from your five cannons.  Choose the angle of your choice, with the exception of a slow approach from the rear, since all heavy bombers concentrate their defensive fire to the rear.

 

Ground attack:

You have enough punch with your cannons to destroy almost any small or medium sized target.  Use your roll-rate to become a difficult target whenever near hostiles.

 

Ta152H

Engaging fighters:

The roll-rate on the H variant is slower than most contemporary fighters, so be extra careful to keep your energy high at all times.  While not having two less cannons than the C variant, you still have the 30mm in the nose, which is easily the most powerful gun on board.  One or two hits are all it takes to bring down any fighter.  The trajectory is not as straight at your wing-mounted 20mm’s (you can see the 30mm shells hit later and shorter when strafing the ground).

 

Engaging bombers:

Hit fast, and hard from the angle of your choosing, with the exception of a slow approach from the rear, since all heavy bombers concentrate their defensive fire to the rear.  Three to five hits from your 30mm nose-mounted cannon should down anything that flies.

 

Ground attack:

Like the C variant, most small and medium targets can be destroyed with efficiency.  Your longer wingspan does make you a slightly larger target from below, so make your strikes fast and hard.  Your slow roll-rate makes it difficult to avoid enemy fire.

 

Specifications:

Ta152 C-1/R31

Type:  Fighter / Interceptor  Power Plant:  Engine: DB 603L inline liquid-cooled V-12 rated at 2100h.p. Armament: One MG151 cannon in each Wing root and one 30mm MK108 cannon in the nose.  Weights:  8,840/11,733 lbs Dimensions:  Span, 36ft 6 ¼ in; length 35ft 6in; height 11 ft

 

Ta152 C-1/R31

Type:  Fighter / Interceptor    Power Plants  Engine: Junkers Jumo 213E-1 liquid-cooled inline V-12 rated at 2050h.p. Armament: One MG151 cannon in each Wing root, two MG151 cannons in the upper nose, and one 30mm MK108 cannon in the nose.  Weights:  8,223/11,502 lbs  Dimensions:  Span, 47ft 6 in; 33ft 8.4 in; height 11 ft

 

 

Firepower Certified Specifications:

Focke-Wulf Ta 152 C-1/R31

ENGINE OPERATION

This engine uses the common German "Kommandogerat" system which automates mixture control.  Mixture control is not available on this engine.

Note: A normal takeoff is done with a fuel load of 75% or 210 U.S. gallons.

TAKEOFF (10612 lbs.)

One notch of flaps (10 degrees) may be used for shorter runways or heavy loads.

CLIMBING

LANDING (9,798 lbs.)

This aircraft tends to float in ground effect so the landing touchdown speed is very important to a short ground roll.  It is also very sloppy in slow flight so a deft hand at the controls is critical.

Firepower Certified Specifications:

 

Focke-Wulf Ta 152 H-1

ENGINE OPERATION

This engine uses the common German "Kommandogerat" system which automates mixture control.  Mixture control is not available on this engine.

Note: A normal takeoff is done with a fuel load of 75% or 195 U.S. gallons.

TAKEOFF (10613 lbs.)

One notch of flaps (10 degrees) may be used for shorter runways or heavy loads.

CLIMBING

LANDING (9859 lbs.)

This aircraft tends to float in ground effect so the landing touchdown speed is very important to a short ground roll.  It is also very sloppy in slow flight so a deft hand at the controls is critical.

Firepower Certified Specifications: