Turner
Posts: 299
Joined: 9/14/2010 From: Sweden Status: offline
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The Ta152 is my main interest within WW2 aviation history. I do not believe it is overmodeled / unbalanced in the game. Granted, to have the DB603LA powered C model as early as Feb '44 is to deviate a significant amount from historical engine development. However, in late '43 the RLM had the Ta152A/B versions on the table, prototyped and ready to enter production as early as Jan '44. The A/B was powered by the Jumo 213A which later proved itself in the FW190D series (all Daimler-Benz production went to Messerschmitt) but at the time did not impress the RLM. They failed to see the much greater development potential of the 190 as a inline-powered interceptor in the shape of the Ta152A/B. The A was intended by FW to replace the Bf110 fleet of heavy interceptor / Zerstörer (planned to retire by mid-'44 and they did, with no replacement) and the B was to be equipped for NJ. RLM gave it thumbs down, they did not deem it worthy of the industrial retooling effort required for they thought the 190A was fully adequate in performance. Thus the RLM failed to see the huge development potential of the Ta152 concept which further underlined their inability to understand the operational and tactical difficulties the Jagdwaffe pilots were facing. Undisputably, just this one decision alone was a huge favor to the allies. For if the Ta152A had entered production in early '44 there would have been no need for the 190D series which was a stop-gap (read panic) solution before the 152 (H and C) could enter production. Before the war ended both H and C types did enter produciton but few saw action (no confirmed accounts concerning the C) and it should be well known in this crowd that it was much too late to have any effect on the outcome of the war. Focke-Wulf never had access to the Daimler-Benz production of fighter engines, it was neatly squared away for Messerschmitt. Had the 190 been powered by a inline DB from start it would have outclassed the 109 by such a large margin it could not have been denied that it was the better of the two. As it was and even with the BMW801 the 190 shocked the RAF to such a degree when it was first encountered in '41 that it earned the nickname "Butcher Bird". The Ta152C is, in that perspective, unique in that it represented what Kurt Tank had always wanted to build, but never could. A Daimler-Benz inline powered FW190. The design was nevertheless way ahead of its time when it first flew in 1939. Messerschmitt was a man with political connections though. And you can file that as yet another one of those 'what if' turning points of the war. To build it in Jan '44 is not that much of a stretch. The one PBEM game I've played I won by making Ta152C research a priority. The Allied player could not find a effective way to negate their presence. I went through much trouble trying to keep experienced Jagdwaffe pilots alive while also protecting the vital industries throughout '43 though. It would be very interesting to hear if someone finds a way to counter the operational effectiveness of the Ta152. Personally I believe it would be through denying the Luftwaffe player the luxury to do the research by bombing the biggest engine factories. That would solve many problems for the Allied player if done successfully. Currently I'm torn between starting a new PBEM game, or wait for the patch...
< Message edited by Turner -- 8/20/2013 12:07:03 AM >
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