Focke-Wulf Ta 153
The Focke-Wulf Ta 153 (GH+KV) was a prototype German fighter aircraft built during World War II. It was a development of the Fw 190C, a Fw 190A with a DB 603A engine.
| Ta 153 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Interceptor aircraft |
| National origin | Nazi Germany |
| Manufacturer | Focke-Wulf |
| Designer | Kurt Tank |
| Number built | 0 |
| Developed from | Focke-Wulf Fw 190 |
| Developed into | Focke-Wulf Ta 152 |
A project called Ra-4 was initiated in 1943. The idea was to create a new fighter derived from the Fw 190 for higher altitudes. In that sense it was a competitor for the Messerschmitt Me 155B project. The Ta 153A-1 would get the Jumo 213A or C engine and the new wings of the Fw 190B prototype. There was also the Ta 153D-1, a high-altitude version with long-span, high-aspect ratio wings and the DB 603G engine.
Although derived from the Fw 190, the Ta 153 was essentially a new aircraft. This would have required a complete conversion of the production lines with new jigs and tooling. For that reason Kurt Tank decided to modify the existing Fw 190A by adding a rear fuselage 'plug', thereby creating the Fw 190D. Later this fuselage was mated with the long wings of the Ta 153D-1 for the successful Ta 152H.
Specifications (Ta 153)
Data from
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 10.4 m (34 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
- Height: 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 18.2 m2 (196 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 3,600 kg (7,937 lb)
- Gross weight: 4,400 kg (9,700 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 5,100 kg (11,244 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Junkers Jumo 213 V-12 invertedliquid-cooled piston engine, 1,305 kW (1,750 hp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed copnstant-speed propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 680 km/h (420 mph, 370 kn)
- Range: 1,400 km (870 mi, 760 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,000 ft)
- Wing loading: 242 kg/m2 (50 lb/sq ft)
- Power/mass: 0.30 kW/kg (0.18 hp/lb)
Armament
- Guns:
- 1 × 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 108 cannon with 90 rounds
- 2 × 20 mm MG 151 cannon with 175 rpg
See also
Related development
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