Question about Bf 109K-4

[robert_schulte]

Originally Posted by Kurfürst

That`s debatable. I`ll leave the 152H out, it was a specialized figther and unbeatable in high altitutdes, but otherwise nothing special at normal altitudes.

I wouldn't say, that the 152 H was nothing special at normal altitudes. According to Willi Reschkes book Jagdgeschwader 301/302 a Fw 190 A-8 was easily turned out in a simulated dogfight against a Ta 152 H-0, at altitudes from near ground to 3000 meters. The Fw 190 was flown by an experienced pilot whereas the pilot of the Ta 152 had only 2 take-offs with it then.
Can't have been too bad

[Kurfürst]

no no no, it was not at all of course! What I say it was not so special in normal altitudes than high up. it was as good as the best latest fighters, though I may add outturning the rather heavy A-8 was not too great feat either.

[George Hopp]

According to Willi Reschkes book Jagdgeschwader 301/302 a Fw 190 A-8 was easily turned out in a simulated dogfight against a Ta 152 H-0, at altitudes from near ground to 3000 meters. The Fw 190 was flown by an experienced pilot whereas the pilot of the Ta 152 had only 2 take-offs with it then.

I found this remark very interesting because, in my estimation, the Ta 152H would have been a real bear to maneuver at lower altitudes because of the denser air combined with such a large wingspan. But, in closely checking the story of the 152H, I found that the sucker had Flettner tabs on the ailerons. So that would have helped considerably. But, in the 109s with aileron Flettners, pilots complained that at low speeds the control forces were little more than the control friction force, and so it was easy to overcontrol the a/c. I wonder what the aileron control forces were like in the Ta 152H at various speeds and altitudes. And, was there concern about tearing off the wings at high speed and low altitude?

[George Hopp]

I don't have any costs for the 109K, but here are the "Fertigungsmittelkosten" (Assembly costs [?]) for the 109G. At a rate of 200 a/c per month: Fuselage: 1,950 hours, Control surfaces: 1,050 hours; Wings: 3,000 hours; Powerplant: 500 hours; Total: 6,500 hours. At a rate of 50 a/c, the cost rose to 9,200 hours; and, at a rate of 500 a/c per month, the cost dropped to 3,800 hours. This was from a report of 11.5.44.