Ref.: TAMI-60778
Focke-Wulf Fw190 D-9 JV44 In the summer of 1943, U.S. Army Air Corps began using its powerful B-17s and B-24s for bombing raids over Germany. Although these early, daylight raids suffered heavy losses to Luftwaffe Interceptors, the advent of more powerful U.S. fighters such as the P-57 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang provided effective bomber support and put air superiority in favor of the allies. Therefore Luftwaffe made every effort to develop new fighters and improve those already in service. The D-9 version of the Fw190A was superior to the P-51 in both speed and high altitude performance. However, since it went into production late in the war (Aug 1944), precluded its extensive use. Painted on the bottom surfaces in red and white stripes was to distinguish them as friendly aircraft. Special D-9 units were later formed, provided top cover for the Me 262's, allowing the jets to concentrate on defending German airspace.