Best Tank Killer of WW2 continued (1 Viewer)

If it was one it was a lucky hit, or a very skillful hit. I'm not going to deny that it is possible but it is hard.

Oh I agree with you 100%. However even the M-1 which is the best MBT out there is vulnerable to even RPG fire.

That is the reason why close co-operation between infantry and armour is essential, especially in built up areas.

That is true. That is one reason why the Blitzkrieg worked so well at first. The Germans were able to perfect the Panzer, Infantry and aerial support tactics of there armed forces. Ofcourse this only worked as long as you were able to keep moving fast.

For Best Tank Killer:

Germany - Focke Wulf FW 190F or Junkers Ju 87G (Twin 37mm) Stuka
Russia - IL-2 Stormovik
United Kingdom - Hawker Hurricane IID (Twin 40mm Vickers)
United States - Republic P-47D Thunderbolt

I know my lists is not good, but at least they destroyed several tanks well.

I will agree with completly for Germany, Russia, and the United States but I think the best tank killer for England would have been the Typhoon. Yeah she had some problems but she was more capable of it.

Since he put Fw-190F and Ju-87G for Germany, you could say Hurricane IID IV and Typhoon for Britain. And what about the Fw-190G?

No you are right too, I just should have added the Typhoon.

The G variant wasnt used for Panzerblitz operations... The F-8 was the best variant for the Tank Busting Duties with those sexy 88mm Rockets...

The G was still a good ground attack aircraft though wasn't it? Wasn't it!?! I don't know, I've never read anything about the G beyond "Fighter/Bomber...much like the F"

I forgot to add Canada on the lists:

Canada: Hawker Typhoon IB "Tiffy"

that would come under Britian, as, it's a british aircraft

The G was an excellent ground attack bird.... It had the capability to carry wing tanks, with the loss of the cowl mounted machine guns for weight considerations.... It only had the 2x 20mm left over...

Would have made a good escort fighter then, I suppose...

...that being if the Luftwaffe needed one, which they didn't by 1943...or whenever the G came about.

Unfortunatly, it wouldnt. The extra weight of the armor plating made this bird good for one thing....

Blasting the living shiit outta the Russian columns, while having a top cover of Bf-109G's circling overhead... They held their own in dogfighting the Russians, but with thier ordinance dropped... Big Fat Fuel Heavy 190s were easy prey to Yak-3's and La-7's.....

The different varients of the F and G series Fw-190's:

Focke-Wulf Fw 190F-1 The Fw 190F was a dedicated close-support fighter, and was a production line model of the Fw 190A-5/U3, with a strengthened landing gear and fitted with 1 × ETC 501 center fuselage rack, and 4 × ETC 50 underwing racks. Max bomb load was 1,984 lb (900 kg), optionally increased to 2,646 lb (1.200 kg) under special circumstances as the ETC 501 rack was able to carry a 2,205 lb (1.000 kg) load. Also, the Fw 190F-series had improved protection in the form of some 794 lb (360 kg) of armor for the pilot, engine and oil tank. This model was based on the Fw 190A-4, rather than the Fw 190A-5
Number built: 25 to 30
Focke-Wulf Fw 190F-2 First true F-series production. Based on the airframe of the Fw 190A-5 but generally similar to the Fw 190F-1 with the exception of its revised cockpit canopy and modified disposable armament capability. The cockpit was based on a single-piece sliding section of the blown type that bulged upward slightly to offer more headroom and also improve the aerodynamics of the upper fuselage. The modification of the bomb-load resulted from provision for an ER-4 supplementary rack to be installed on the ETC 501 underfuselage rack to carry 4 × 110 lb (50 kg) SC-50 bombs as an alternative to a single larger bomb. One conversion existed.

Umrüst-Bausätze (factory conversion sets):

Fw 190F-2/Trop Tropicalized with dust/sand filters for service in Tunisia and in southern Italy


Number built: 271
Focke-Wulf Fw 190F-3 Based on the airframe of the Fw 190A-6, fitted with 2 × ETC 250 racks in stead of 4 × ETC 50 racks under the wings. These racks could each carry a single 551 lb (250 kg) SC-250 bomb or 66 Imp gal (79.25 US gal; 300 liter) drop tank.

Rüstsätze (field conversion sets):

Fw 190F-3/R1 Simplified bomb-release gear
Fw 190F-3/R3 Tank-buster version with 2 × 30 mm MK 103 under the wings


Number built: about 250
Focke-Wulf Fw 190F-8 Designated Fw 190F-8 (in stead of Fw 190F-4) to synchronise on the Fw 190A series. Armed with 2 × 0.51 in (13 mm) MG 131 guns in stead of 2 × 0.312 in (7.92 mm) MG 17's. Further features include an improved fuel-injection system, revised radio equipment, provision for 25.3 Imp gal (30.4 US gal; 115 liters) of auxiliary fuel in a 30.4 US gal (25.3 Imp gal; 115 liter) rear-fuselage tank, and a modified bomb-release system capable of dropping of the bombs in a single salvo or a number of 'sticks'.
A lot of Fw 190F-8's could also be fitted with 24 × 2.16 in (55 mm) R4/M rockets, or 14 × 220 lb (100 kg) RBS B/F21 rocket bombs, or two clusters of 3 × 9.84 in (280 mm) WGr.28 rockets, or Panzerblitz anti-tank rockets in 2.16, 3.07 and 5.12 in (55, 78 and 130 mm) calibers, or large numbers of small anti-personnel bomblets

Umrüst-Bausätze (factory conversion sets):

Fw 190F-8/U1 Two-seat tandem advanced trainer. Uncertainty exists over whether or not this version was actually built or not
Fw 190F-8/U2 Torpedo-fighters with provision for the 882 lb (400 kg) BT 400, 1,543 lb (700 kg) BT 700 or 3,086 lb (1.400 kg) BT 1400 torpedo-bomb
Fw 190F-8/U3 Torpedo-fighters with provision for the 882 lb (400 kg) BT 400, 1,543 lb (700 kg) BT 700 or 3,086 lb (1.400 kg) BT 1400 torpedo-bomb (like above)
Fw 190F-8/U14 Torpedo-fighter, with provision for the LT F5b torpedoes.
Fw 190F-8/U15 Torpedo-fighter, with provision for the 2,094 lb (950 kg) LT 900 torpedo.



Rüstsätze (field conversion sets):

Fw 190F-8/R1 Attack aircraft, armed with 2 × 0.51 in (13 mm) MG 131 fuselage-mounted guns and 4 × 20 mm MG 151/20 wing-mounted cannon as well as underwing bombs on 4 × ETC 71 racks.
Fw 190F-8/R2 Attack aircraft, armed with 2 × 0.51 in (13 mm) MG 131 fuselage-mounted guns and 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 wing-mounted cannon, supplemented by 2 × 30 mm MK 108 cannon in underwing gondolas.
Fw 190F-8/R3 Attack aircraft, armed with 2 × 0.51 in (13 mm) MG 131 guns and 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, supplemented by 2 × 30 mm MK 103 underwing cannon for tank-busting operations.
Fw 190F-8/R13 Nocturnal ground-attack fighter, fitted with additional navigation equipment and armed with 2 × 0.51 in (13 mm) MG 131 fuselage-mounted guns and up to 3,307 lb (1.500 kg) of disposable stores carried on 1 × ETC 501 underfuselage rack and 2 × ETC 503 underwing racks
Fw 190F-8/R14 Torpedo-fighter, powered by 1 × BMW 801TU radial, rated at 2,000 hp (1.491 kW) for take-off. It featured the PKS 12 radio navigation system, and was armed with 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon in the wing roots and one LT F5b torpedo carried on an ETC 502 underfuselage rack.
Fw 190F-8/R15 Torpedo-fighter, equal to the Fw 190F-8/R14, but with the standard 1 × BMW 801D-2 engine and a 3,086 lb (1400 kg) LT 1400 torpedo-bomb.
Fw 190F-8/R16 Torpedo-fighter, equal to the Fw 190F-8/15, but with a 1,543 lb (700 kg) LT 700 torpedo-bomb.


Number built: 385
Focke-Wulf Fw 190F-9 Parallell to the F-8 series, the F-9 series had differences such as improved armor. It was powered by 1 × BMW 601TS/TH turbocharged engine, rated at 2,000 hp (1.491 kW) for take-off and 2,270 hp (1.692,5 kW) with the MW 50 methanol/water power-boost system. It had the same Umrüst-Bausätze and Rüstsätze as the Fw 190F-8 (See above).
Further development of the Fw 190F series was stopped because of the defeat of Germany.
Number built: unknown
Focke-Wulf Fw 190G-0 Pre-production model of the Fw 190G long-range fighter-bomber series. In essence it was the production version of the Fw 190A-4/U8 and Fw 190A-5/U3. The extra fuel meant a sacrifice of two fuselage-mounted guns to leave the 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon in the wing roots as the only fixed armament. Provision for attachments of 2 × 66 Imp gal (79.25 US gal; 300 liter) drop tanks under the wings were made. The Fw 190G-0 was additionally fitted with an ETC 501 rack under the fuselage to carry a 2,205 lb (1.000 kg) SC-1000 or 1,102 lb (500 kg) SC-500 bomb.
Number built: unknown
Focke-Wulf Fw 190G-1 First G-series production version. It was based on the Fw 190A-4's airframe, and was similar to the Fw 190G-0 except for its strengthened main landing gear, max weight of 10,472 lb (4.750 kg) with a 3,968 lb (.1800 kg) SC-1800 bomb whose lower fin had to be cropped to provide adequate ground clearance at take-off. The powerplant remained was the 1 × BMW 801D-2 radial, rated at 1,700 hp (1.267,5 kW) for take-off and 1,440 hp (1.074 kW) at 18,700 ft (5.700 m) in the original type of short-nose installation that resulted in an overall length of 28 ft 10.5 in (8.80 m). The max level speed was 351 mph (565 km/h) at optimum altitude, the cruising speed was 289 mph (465 km/h) at optimum altitude, and it had a range of 652 miles (1.050 km) with two 66 Imp gal (79.25 US gal; 300 liter) drop tanks. One conversion existed.

Umrüst-Bausätze (factory conversion sets):

Fw 190G-1/Trop Fitted with dust/sand filters for use in North Africa, Italy and the USSR


Number built: 49
Focke-Wulf Fw 190G-2 The Fw 190G-2 was a simple development of the Fw 190G-1 based on the airframe of the Fw 190A-5 with its longer nose section for an overall length of 29 ft 4.25 in (8,95 m). It also had Messerschmitt-designed racks for the underwing drop tanks, which provided for a maximum range of 963 miles (1.550 km). One conversion existed.

Umrüst-Bausätze (factory conversion sets):

Fw 190G-1/Trop Fitted with dust/sand filters for use in North Africa, Italy and the USSR


Number built: 468
Focke-Wulf Fw 190G-3 Equal to the Fw 190G-2, but with the incorporation of the PKS 11 autopilot, use of underwing racks designed by Focke-Wulf and incorporation of balloon cable-cutters in the wing leading edges

Umrüst-Bausätze (factory conversion sets):

Fw 190G-3/Trop Fitted with dust/sand filters for use in North Africa, Italy and the USSR



Rüstsätze (field conversion sets):

Fw 190G-3/R5 An additional 4 × ETC 50 racks under the wings to carry 4 × 100 lb (50 kg) SC-50 bombs


Number built: unknown
Focke-Wulf Fw 190G-4 Equal to the Fw 190G-3, but with 3 × ETC 503 underwing racks

Umrüst-Bausätze (factory conversion sets):

Fw 190G-4/Trop Fitted with dust/sand filters for use in North Africa, Italy and the USSR


Number built: unknown
Focke-Wulf Fw 190G-8 Based on the airframe of the Fw 190A-8 with its 25.3 Imp gal (30.4 US gal; 115 liter) auxiliary tank.

Rüstsätze (field conversion sets):

Fw 190G-8/R4 Powered by 1 × BMW 801D-2 engine with the GM 1 nitrous oxide power-boost system.
Fw 190G-8/R5 Powered by 1 × BMW 801TU engine, rated at 2,000 hp (1.491 kW) for take-off and carrying four ETC 50 underwing racks in addition to the ETC 501 underfuselage rack.


Number built: unknown


All taken from: http://www.xs4all.nl/~fbonne/warbirds/ww2htmls/fockfw190.html

Focke-Wulf Fw 190F-3 Based on the airframe of the Fw 190A-6, fitted with 2 × ETC 250 racks in stead of 4 × ETC 50 racks under the wings. These racks could each carry a single 551 lb (250 kg) SC-250 bomb or 66 Imp gal (79.25 US gal; 300 liter) drop tank.

Rüstsätze (field conversion sets):

Fw 190F-3/R1 Simplified bomb-release gear
Fw 190F-3/R3 Tank-buster version with 2 × 30 mm MK 103 under the wings

Click to expand...

FOCKE-WULF 190F-3
The Fw 190F version development program also included other A-5 version modifications: Fw 190A-5/U10, A-5/U11, A-5/U12 and A-5/U17. The last became a prototype for the Fw 190F-3 that was introduced into series production in May 1943.
The main production model was the F-3/R1 plane equipped with four (2x2) underwing mounted ETC 50 bomb racks and under-fuselage mounted ETC 501 adapted for bombs or an auxiliary 300 liters fuel tank. Numerous planes of this version were fitted with desert equipment (F- 3/R1/tp).

The next plane would have been the Fw 190F-3/R3 with two 30 mm MK 103 canons mounted under the wings. It was not produced because of negative test results from the similarly armed Fw 190A-5/U11 (W.Nr. 151303), which was too heavy. In addition it was realized that the MK 103 cannon munitions could not penetrate Russian T-34 tank armor. Only three Fw 190F-3/R3 with two MK 103 cannons were built.

The A-5/U10 wing was adopted for the F series and also in the A-6 and following versions. Since the Fw 190A-5/U12 armed with 6 20 mm MG 151/20 E cannons was found capable of destroying only lightly armored targets, the further development of this version in the F series was abandoned.

FOCKE-WULF 190F-8
This model was produced in greatest numbers of the all of the F series planes. It was produced based on the A-8 plane airframe. Production started in March 1944 in the Arado factory in Warnemunde and in the April 1944 in the NDW-Wismar factory.
The Fw 190F-8 was powered by a BMW 801 D-2 engine variant adapted for C3 (96 octane) fuel. An additional injector in the left supercharger inlet for emergency short term (10-15 min) engine power increase during flight under 1000 m altitude was standard equipment. Most of the equipment was the same as in the Fw 190A-8. From April 1944, the FuG 16 ZS radio set, adapted for direct communication with units on the battlefield was introduced in place of the FuG 16 ZY . Only a few planes (compared with previous versions) had a desert equipment including an anti-dust filter. In the second half of 1944, a widened rear cockpit canopy was added with the A-8 plane. The purpose of this modification was to improve the pilot's side-forward visibility, important during fighterbomber missions. Armament consisted of two 13 mm MG 131 machine guns mounted in the fuselage and two 20 mm MG 151/20 E cannons in the wings.

Most of the early production series F-8 planes had the additional armor used since the F-3 airframes. For weight reduction and improvement in flight characteristics it was not used in later F-8s. These planes had only the standard Fw 180 A-8 armor. Because the under-fuselage ETC 501 bomb rack was a standard item in A-8 planes all F-8 planes got it as well but without the stabilizers for the droppable fuel tank.

In the beginning of 1944, due to the difficult situation on the Eastern Front, the Luftwaffe was in desperate need of an attack plane with armament capable of destroying armored vehicles including heavily armored tanks (heavy tanks). In this situation, it became vital to arm Fw 190F planes with offensive armaments other than bombs. This was not an easy task, because the Luftwaffe had not developed weapon systems adaptable for mounting in light fighter planes. The only way to solve this problem was by trial and error until the proper armament could be find. First tested on the Fw 190F was the 280 mm mortar W.Gr. 28/32 with high explosive warhead. This missile was judged as unusable because of it's unstable and highly curved flight path that made it impossible to aim them into the targets. Next tested was the Panzerschreck 1 missile launcher combined into two three barreled units mounted under wings on ETC 50 or ETC 70 bomb racks. Each missile had a hollow-charge warhead. They were soon replaced by the more modern Panzerschreck 2 (PD 8.8) launchers combined in units consisting of two launchers with 88 mm missiles with hollow-charge warheads that could be fired individually or in salvos. Equipped in this manner, a Fw 190F-8 (W.Nr. 580383) was tested by Major Eggers at Udetfeld Air Base. The results obtained were satisfactory but there were also some disadvantages like the missile's short (137 m) range and limited accuracy. Despite this, in October 1944 a small number of Panzerschreck 2 equipped planes were delivered to service units on the Eastern Front.

In December 1944, the highly efficient missile Panzerblitz 1 (Pb 1) system consisting of six and, more often, eight R4M air-to-air missiles. They were adapted for tank destroying by mounting an 80 mm M8 type warhead for an armor penetration of up to 90 mm. Using the Pb 1 unit it was possible to destroy tanks at a 200 m distance. The only limitation was a maximum speed of 490 km/hr, not to be exceeded during missile firing (in a salvo of eight or in pairs). Up to February 1945 the Luftwaffe received 115 Fw 190F-8/Pb 1 planes.

The successor to the Pb 1 unit was the Panzerblitz 2 (Pb 2) unit. The main difference between them was the replacement of the M8 warhead by a hollow-charge warhead able to penetrate up to 180 mm armor. Also developed was the new missile system Panzerblitz 3 (Pb 3) with a 210 mm hollow-charge warhead, but it was not operational by the end of the war. The same situation applied with the AG 140 (Abschussgerat 140) missile system consisting of units with two 210 mm missile launchers different from Pb 3. The AG 140 system was tested on the following three Fw 190F-8 planes designated as prototypes: V78 (W.Nr. 551103), V79 (W.Nr. 583303) and V80 (W.Nr. 586600).

Apart from the previously described missile systems on the Fw 190F-8 plane, other weapon systems for ground attack were tested (e.g. doubled SG 113 A Forstersonde missile launchers mounted obliquely inside the wings directed downward. Firing performed automatically using Forestersonde magnetic field detection principle, when the plane flew over the tank. In October 1944, at the research facility FGZ (Forschungsansalt Graf Zeppelin) this device was mounted on the prototype Fw 190 V75 (W.Nr. 582071) and W.Nr. 586586 planes. In December 1944, system was also mounted on the Fw 190 (W.Nr. 933452). This system was found to have low accuracy, so development was abandoned shortly.

In June 1944, the development team commanded by Col. Haupt (Versuchsgruppe Oberst Haupt) prepared a special Gero II type flamethrower in three versions: A, B and C. The device was for attacking ground targets. In February 1945, preparatory work began, by the application of additional fuselage bottom cowlings, on a Fw 190F-8 to mount the flame-thrower. There is still no evidence that this project was realized.

Authorities decided that flight tests with the wire guided air-to-air Ruhrstahl X-4 (Ru 322) missile, probably with modified ground attack warheads, would be carried out on F-8 planes. For the test two prototypes were used: Fw 190 V69 (W.Nr. 582072), V70 (W.Nr. 580029) and three serial production F-8 planes: W.Nr. 583431, 583438 and 584221. During these flights the more modern Ruhrstahl X-7 (Ru-374) Rotkappchen and Henschel 298 missiles were tested as well. Tests were carried out with the unpowered BV 246 (LT 950) Hagelkorn flying bomb. Probably by Fw 190V20.

The F was basically an uparmoured A and was very well suited for ground attack and close support.

Great information, lads, thanks! 8)

Np.