Question about Bf 109K-4

[Kutscha]

Originally Posted by Flammenwerfer

I read that Third Reich produced 190 Ta 152H-1, 650 Fw 190D-9 and ca. 1000 Bf 109K-4.

You need to revise your production numbers. D-9 > ~1800, K-4 > ~1700. For the Ta 152H-0/H-1 only 43 from known WkN, with maybe 67 total (includes prototypes??).

Be careful with K-4 performance numbers. The best performance was obtained at 1.98ata but this required C3 + MW50. Normal boost was 1.80ata. It is questionable on how many of the 4 Gruppen authorized to use 1.98ata with 140 a/c (79 operational) {as of beginning of April 1945} were really converted to be able to use 1.98ata. There is also the question of C3 deliveries to these Gruppen.

Your friend has a point. It was noted in some German correspondence that 109 airframes were of poor quality at the time 1.98 was being cleared for operational use in late Feb/early March 1945.

The G-10 and K-4 came off the production lines at the same time > Oct 1944.

[Primoz]

Poor quality was a very widespread problem in the Luftwaffe. The quality of Bf 109 airframes certainly varied a lot. This is hardly surprising considering the general conditions (lack of raw materials, poor quality fuel, slave labor, dispersed production etc.). Don't forget the extensive exhaust staining on German aircraft; all versions of the Jumo 211 and the BMW 801 being very "dirty".

In general, I agree with ArtieBob's considerations - but I'd like to point out that in late 1944 there was no other option for Germany but unconditional surrender (at least after Graf Stauffenberg's bomb failed to kill Hitler).