The two types were more advanced developments of the Fw 190 A. The main improvements were an increase in power directed towards greater altitudes.
Kurt Tank was again responsible for overall design. Two virtually parallel developments gradually emerged as 1942 proceeded involving a fighter aircraft fitted with a water-cooled inline engine: the Ta 153 or the Fw 190 with “Jumo 213” and the Ta 152. While the former was primarily based on the Fw 190 A and was to be developed with a minimum of resources expended on modifications, the design of the second aircraft was virtually a new development.
Overall, the designers appeared to be convinced that the Junkers Jumo 213 would be ready for volume production faster than the Daimler Benz DB 603 engine of choice. The delays in development and testing had a number of knock-on effects, including discontinuation of the Fw 190 C high-altitude fighter programme. While the Ta 153 was only envisaged for the Jumo 213 and represented a temporary solution, planners were working towards installation of a unified fighter engine for the Ta 152 whereby the DB 603 and the Jumo 213 could be deployed.
In August 1943, officials suddenly stopped development work on the Ta 153. However, since the first prototype aircraft with the Jumo 213 A engine had almost been produced and gave rise to expectations of good performance, Kurt Tank intervened and managed to secure continuation of the work. Ultimately, it was channelled into the Fw 190 D-9 Series, largely based on the Fw 190 A-8.
The first prototype aircraft for the D-9 version were converted older experimental aircraft, which had previously generally served as test beds for different engines. Since the Jumo 213 was narrower and most importantly longer than the BMW 801 radial engine, the nose of the fuselage had to be redesigned in these aircraft and this meant they were given the nickname “Long Nose”. Incidentally, the D-1 to D-8 versions were never developed.
From August 1944, the first Fw 190 D-9 were delivered to fighting units. Despite initial scepticism, the aircraft performed well and won over airmen with their performance which was equal to the performance of Allied fighters. Superior performance was only to be expected with installation of the Jumo 213 E and F engines optimized for flying at high altitudes, but production only proceeded in fits and starts. As a result, only a few examples of the subsequent versions Fw 190 D-11, D-12 and D-13 fitted with equivalent engines remained in existence until the end of the war, while around 1,800 Fw 190 D-9 aircraft were produced.
The initial intention was also to base the Ta 152, planned as the true successor to the Fw 190 A, on the airframe of an A-8 version. This was to have a fuselage extended fore and aft followed by an even bigger vertical tail plane at a later point, as well as bigger wings and simpler structure overall. As outlined, the Jumo 213 and the DB 603 were planned as power units.
As a result of numerous difficulties in engine production, work on the Ta 152 high-performance fighter aircraft was only fully implemented at the beginning of 1944, although test aircraft for the unrealized A version had already flown for the first time in July and November of 1943.
Apart from a single prototype, work on development and construction of the Ta 152 designed as a heavy fighter aircraft was wound down and instead development work focused on the Ta 152 fighter and fighter bomber fitted with a DB 603. An initial prototype, again a converted test-support aircraft, took off for the first time in November 1944. Three other pre-production aircraft followed in December of the same year and in January 1945. Despite impressive performance data, volume production planned for March was not implemented.
Construction of the fast reconnaissance aircraft Ta 152 E based on the B Version was commenced. However, it has not been possible to establish whether the manufacture of aircraft continued until the end of the war.
Only the high-altitude fighter aircraft Ta 152 H fitted with the Jumo 213 E engine and a wing span extended to 14.4 m was manufactured in notable volumes. The development contract for this aircraft had been granted at the beginning of December 1943. The first prototype aircraft took off the following July and four more had followed by the end of November. Altitudes of 13,500 m were attained during testing. Volume construction of the versions H-0, H-1 and for a time H-2 commenced in November 1944, but it is unlikely that many more than 45 aircraft were manufactured. A series of this aircraft was delivered to the front line and were deployed on operations.
Overall, the Fw 190 D and most importantly the Ta 152 were the most advanced and powerful piston-powered fighters to come out of German production. At the same time, they marked the end of an era of military aircraft production.
