Focke-Wulf FW 190 D-9 RR

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 was one of the best aircraft produced during World War II. Manufactured in more than 20,000 units starting from 1941, it was, alongside the Messerschmitt Bf 109, the most renowned fighter aircraft of the Luftwaffe. In its early versions, such as the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8, the fighter was equipped with a BMW 801 D-2 double-row radial engine with 14 cylinders, delivering 1,700 horsepower, enabling it to reach a top speed of 653 km/h. Over time, designers capitalized on the successful aerodynamic structure of the aircraft, achieving what can be considered its ultimate evolution. The adoption of the powerful liquid-cooled Junkers Jumo 213 12-cylinder engine necessitated a revision of the aircraft's design, resulting in an elongated nose. The D version was aptly nicknamed by Luftwaffe pilots as "Langnasen-Dora" (Long-nose Dora), but once in flight, they immediately appreciated its characteristics and capabilities. The FW-190D was indeed capable of competing on equal terms with the most modern Allied fighters, such as the renowned P-51D Mustang.