Aviation Archive Issue 25 - 2016 UK

(Jacob Rumans) #1

FOCKE-WULF Ta 154 MOSKITO 89


Focke-Wulf Ta 154A-1


Type: Twin-engined,
night fighter
Crew: Two
Dimensions:
Length: 40ft 3in (12.55m)
Wingspan: 52ft 5in (16.3m)
Height: 11ft 4in (3.6m)
Weights:
Empty: 15,000lb (6,600kg)
Max T/O: 21,900lb (9,950kg)
Performance:
Max Speed: 382mph (615km/h)
Range: 870 miles (1,400km)
Powerplant: 2 × Junkers Jumo 211N
liquid-cooled V12 engines
Armament: 2 × 20mm MG151
cannons, 2 × 30mm
MK108 cannons,
2 × 30mm MK108
Schräge Musik cannons

Focke-Wulf Ta 154 Moskito


Below: It might have been inspired by the British
Mosquito, but the Ta 154 did not enjoy an equally
illustrious career. Classified as a night fighter,
the design appeared promising until a series
of delays and losses to the first two production
aircraft effectively cancelled the project.

fighters. With production gathering pace,
problems with the bonding of the glue began
to materialise resulting in the loss of the first
two production airframes. Then in May 1944 the
axe fell, both figuratively and physically. Owing
to its protracted problems and a change in
requirements, the programme was cancelled.
It is thought that around 50 had been built at
this stage (though it could be more) and a
small number of Ta 154s entered service with

the night fighter squadrons. The first went to
NJGr 10 for service evaluation, while I./NJG 3
received some aircraft late in 1944. The first
operational sortie came on 19 November 1944.
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