Focke
Wulf Fw-190T-1 'Black 1' 1/ZG.1, 1943
The
Fw-190T was a navalised development of the successful FW190A series of
Luftwaffe fighters. The Fw-190T-1 was powered by a supercharged DB601 in-line
engine, incorporating many of the features trialled on the prototype FW190
V18, including a 4-bladed propeller.
The
T-1 was, despite being built in only small numbers, considered an
important type at the time of its introduction into service.
Designed as a sea-going point air defence aircraft for the German
carrier 'Graf Zeppelin' and its battle group, the Fw-190T-1 provided the
fledging Kreigsmarine with a higher performance fighter than the Bf-109T,
and allowed German naval aviators to develop fighter tactics in advance of
receiving the fully-navalised T-2 (the T-1 did not feature folding wings).
Always
considered an interim type, the Fw-190T-1 saw service only with the
Kreigsmarine's composite Zeegruppe 1.
Following the destruction of the Graf Zeppelin by RAF and FAA
attacks in early 1944, the remaining examples joined the small production
batch of Fw-190T-2s in contributing to the air defence of Hamburg.
(Donor
kits: Smer FW190A-8, Airfix FW190A-8, Blohm & Voss BV141 and P-51D
Mustang, Italeri FW190A-8, KP Spitfire IXe, Superscale sheet 72-481)
David
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