Focke Wulf FW-190 C-6/U3

The Focke Wulf FW-190 C was developed as a high altitude fighter featuring a DB603 engine with a large DVL turbo charger in the fuselage behind the pilot. The first versions of the FW-190 C were able to reach 725 km/h (450 mph) at 6,800 m (22,310 ft), a considerable improvement over the 650 km/h (400 mph) at 5,200 m (17,060 ft) of the basic A models. Later types proved even faster at altitude.

The FW-190 C-6 was the main production type that was brought into service in the middle of 1944 and was used to intercept allied bombers flying at high altitude. In 1945 the allies began using B-29 bombers based in southern Africa to mount raids against Italy and the south of Germany.  In response to this a number of FW-190 C-6s were moved to bases in northern Africa.

In order to operate from the desert air bases a U3 sub version was created which has a number sand filters for the air intakes. Externally there was no difference with the standard version as the filters were mounted internally.

The aircraft were moderately successful against the B-29 but it wasn’t until the appearance of the FW-190 K model powered by the DB631 engine that the bombers could confronted efficiently.