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| Foreword Short time after the Messerschmitt Bf-109 was adopted as the main fighter by the Luftwaffe, during summer 1937, the directors of RLM (ReichLuftMinister) intended to design a new fighter that should be able to flank or to supersede the Bf-109. The Focke-Wulf company (and others) that was not committed in any important project at the time, was asked to present some projects. One of these was accepted and the contract for the construction of some Fw190 prototypes was signed. Unlike some authors sustain, this project was globally well perceived by the RLM who was able to observe the advantages from rustic air cooled radial engine on some Russian fighters "Rata" (Polikarpov-I16) , that had been recovered in Spain. Besides, this engine type was at this time pledged in no major program . Some other countries, such as the US, were doing some research on powerful radial engines meant to fit some fighters. The RLM could not accept to be left behind in that field. There was of course an inside group supporting in-line engines, within RLM, but I do not know of any new project in any ministry not opposed by any detractor. The project received support from Ernst Udet, the Manager of the aeronautic production of the time, who saw positively this fighter that did not require the on-line motor DB601 (that equipped the Bf109) whose production was already unsusufficient despite the recent opening of new factories. This remarkable German fighter was created and developed by Kurt Tank and his small engineering team steered by Hans Sander. Between 17 and 20000 copies (this number differs according to sources) were built, all series considered The M109 and her rival the Spitfire were the best fighters of this time, and, ) if they were dominating all other fighters in service at this period, this was also thanks to reliable staff.K. Tank (left page photo) had ordered a unit of infantry on the East front during the WWI, and, had been able to observe the dreadful conditions in which military equipment had sometimes to be worked.The Fw190 was from the start designed so that it could be operated from rough airfields, and that could be easily piloted and serviced by average to low qualified personnel, a fighter that could sustain major structural damage and return nevertheless to its base.Even the manufacture of subparts by subcontractors was from the start of design integrated. The successive evolutions of this airplane and the permanent improvement of new offensive and defensive tactics, enabled the Luftwaffe to stay a fearsome adversary until the last days of the war. Notwithstanding a laborious start, the Fw 190 became, right from her arrival to the end of the hostilities in Europe's, one of the main elements of the Luftwaffe 's efficiency. NdL: Numerous works or books, that are remarkable by their quality, were written and published by various authors and publishing houses. The works which I have acquired and that I have used throughout the design of this web site are listed in the bibliography page. | ||||||||||||||||
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