The Fw-190D series was a stop-gap solution, pending development of the more powerful Ta-152 series of aircraft. A Brief history ""The Fw190 D-9 is an emergency soution until the Ta 152 comes into production. BMW's main factory has been destroyed by bombing so this left us with no engines standing ready at the factories.

Early on in the development history of the Focke-Wulf 190, it had been acknowledged that the high-altitidue performance of the Fw-190A was less than stellar. In answer to this concern, the "B" and "C" series were born, addressing the need for performance at altitude by looking to in-line engines as a possible solution. Neither the B nor C series proved coompletely successfu, and in the meantime the Dora series had been born.

Early test results were so encouraging that full development of the Dora was undertaken. A small pre-production batch of Fw-190D-0s went to Epr? for development of serice. JG 54 was chosen as the first group to receive the new fighter, and Kurt Tank personally went to the group to address their concerns about his new fighter. While his words did little to assuage their concerns, the superlatie flying qualities coupled with much-improed high altitude performance served to quickly change the attitude of the pilots of JG 54. far from being less manouverable, they felt it was more so. In the chaos of the end of the war, some ??? airframes were delivered, serving with JG 54, 26, ??. Dora development continued with the Dora 11, More than just different armament, it also had the more powerful Jumo 213F engine. While production was planned, in the end nothing came of it. The Dora 12 was the next model, with armament and the Jumo 213E or F engine. Problems with the Mk 103?? led to the Dora 13 series, which entered limited production in ??. JG 26 received several examples of the Dora 13 prior to the end of the war. In service the Dora series did? JG 301.

During the war, only one example of the Dora fell into Allied hands, an aircraft of JG 54 brought down by a bird strike in the radiator. It was taken to RAEa and examined extensively, though it was never restord to flying condidtion. Several Doras were captured by the Russians, and these were employed by ?? in operations against the Germans.

After the war, Both the British and Americans assessed. Two of these aircraft One further Dora has been recovered as of late, and is currently at.

For More Information:

Hugo Junkers Homepage
Details of Junkers powerplants, including the Jumo 213 series used in the Dora.

Focke-wulf Fw190D-9
Detailed performance specifications for the Dora, including dimensions, aerodynamics and engines.

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