The Focke-Wulf Ta 153 (GH+KV) was a prototype German fighter aircraft built during World War II. It was a development of the Fw 190C, a Fw 190A with a DB 603A engine.^[1]

A project called Ra-4 was initiated in 1943. The idea was to create a new fighter derived from the Fw 190 for higher altitudes. In that sense it was a competitor for the Messerschmitt Me 155B project. The Ta 153A-1 would get the Jumo 213A or C engine and the new wings of the Fw 190B prototype. There was also the Ta 153D-1, a high-altitude version with long-span, high-aspect ratio wings and the DB 603G engine.

Although derived from the Fw 190, the Ta 153 was essentially a new aircraft. This would have required a complete conversion of the production lines with new jigs and tooling. For that reason Kurt Tank decided to modify the existing Fw 190A by adding a rear fuselage 'plug', thereby creating the Fw 190D. Later this fuselage was mated with the long wings of the Ta 153D-1 for the successful Ta 152H.

Data from ^{[citation needed]}

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 10.4 m (34 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
• Height: 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 18.2 m² (196 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 3,600 kg (7,937 lb)
• Gross weight: 4,400 kg (9,700 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 5,100 kg (11,244 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Junkers Jumo 213 V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engine, 1,305 kW (1,750 hp)
• Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed propeller

Performance

• Maximum speed: 680 km/h (420 mph, 370 kn)
• Range: 1,400 km (870 mi, 760 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,000 ft)
• Wing loading: 242 kg/m² (50 lb/sq ft)
• Power/mass: 0.30 kW/kg (0.18 hp/lb)

Armament

• Guns:
  

• 1 × 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 108 cannon with 90 rounds
• 2 × 20 mm MG 151 cannon with 175 rpg

Related development

• Focke-Wulf Fw 190
• Focke-Wulf Ta 152

Related lists

• List of German aircraft projects, 1939–45
• List of military aircraft of Germany
• List of World War II military aircraft of Germany