The Focke-Wulf FW190D-9" Dora "

The "long nose" version of the 190, to accommodate the new Junkers Jumo 213 engine. The tail was also lengthened to compensate for the change in the center of gravity. The D series was developed out of the Luftwaffe need for a high altitude interceptor to counter the threat of high altitude American bombers including the B-29. It was also used to provide air cover for an experimental jet fighter unit at Achmer. Many pilots considered the D-9 to be the finest piston-engined fighter to serve with the Luftwaffe.

 

The D-9 variant of the Fw190 was the prominent version to be developed during the D-series. The D-9 was actually the first operational D-series aircraft, the designations of D-2 through D-8 were skipped, following the prototype versions (D-0 and D-1). The first D-9s came off the assembly line during the summer of 1944 and deliveries began in August of 1944 to the Third Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 54 (III./JG54).

The D-9 was powered with the Jumo 213A-1 engine rated at 1,776hp (3,250rpm) at sea-level, 1,600 at 18,000ft, and 2,240hp with the help of a combination of water/methanol injection (MW50). The engine propelled the D-9 to 357mph at sea level and a maximum of anywhere between 405-425mph at 22,500ft. It could reach an altitude of 32810 in 17 minutes.

The plane was armed with two (2) MG 131 machine guns with 475 rounds per gun (rpg) above the engine and two (2) MG 151 with 200rpg in the wing roots. The D-9 is well-armored with 8mm plating for the back seat and surrounding areas, 14mm armor behind the pilot's head and shoulders and armor rings around the engine cowling to protect the engine.

Initially, the pilots of the D-9 were skeptical as for what to think about the new aircraft. It didn't retain the excellent turn and roll rate of its radial engine predecessor. But it had much better high altitude performance over the BMW-powered Fw190s and was much quicker in acceleration and quite a bit faster in both climbing and diving conditions. After getting used to the aircraft, many pilots gained some confidence that was badly needed, considering on the Western-front, the Allies were flying arguably the best piston-engined aircraft to come out of the war. Now the Germans had something to fight back with.

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Armament arrangement of the D-9

1. 20mm Mauser MG 151/20
2. MG 131 Synchronization mechanism
3. 13mm Rheinmetall Borsig MG 131
4. MG 151/20 synchronization mechanism
5. MG 131 mounts
6. 13mm cartridge supply chute
7. Revi16Bgun sight.
8. trigger
9. 20mm cartridge supply chute.
10. 20mm magazine
11. 13mm magazine

12. 20mm ejection chute
13. 13mm ejection