During the last year of the war with the introduction of escort fighters like the latest Mk of Spitfire, the Mustang, and T-Bolt, there was this myth that the German fighters had become obsolete. They were not, just outnumbered numerically. The Bf 109K-4 for example was faster than any of the others at 452 mph, had a great climb of 4850 fpm, could reach well over 41,000 ft, and was more heavily armed with 1x 30mm MK-108 plus 2x 20mm MG-151/20s in the upper nose. These were augmented by field conversion units to add 2 more 30mm cannons underwing (R6 installation). The Fw-190 was also better with the D-series: D-9, D-11, and D-13 with the "Long-Nose" D-9s (Doras) often fending-off marauding Spits and Stangs over Me-262 airfields. With the D-15 becoming the last of the series the designation was changed to Ta 152 in honor of designer Kurt Tank. The Ta 152 was the fastest and most heavily armed of the series and fastest operational fighter of WW2 at 472 mph (only the Do-335 Pfeil was faster at 477 mph but was not operational)! The aircraft had a 1880/2250 hp Jumo 213E-1 engine, could reach 50,000 ft, and carried a wide range of cannons. Although intended for high altitude interception, by 1945 it had to fight at medium altitudes since no Allied bomber approached anywhere near 50,000 ft. More like between 26-30,000 ft where the Ta 152 was swarmed by escort fighters. Very few were made and the transition to the new type took time. The very best of the last German prop fighters as German jets took over...

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