FW190 : The Fw 190 is widely regarded as Germany's best fighter aircraft of World War II. Its appearance in the skies over France in early 1941 was a rude shock to the Allies, as it was clearly superior to any other plane. For nearly a year, until the debut of the Spitfire IX, the Fw 190 was the unmatched champion of the air war.
As the war progressed, the Fw 190 was developed into many variants as a pure fighter, a ground-attack fighter/bomber, and as a close-support aircraft. No fewer than 40 different versions were produced, with different combinations of engines, armament, wings, systems, and roles.
First flown on 1 June 1939, the Fw 190 served for the duration of the war, largely replacing several other aircraft types in the process, including the Junker Ju 87 Stuka dive bomber. Allied bombers dreaded the sight of these potent aircraft, as did the fighters who provided cover for them. Arguably, the Fw 190's greatest impact on the Allied war effort was to spur ever-greater advances in technology and aircraft design to counter its threat.
BF110 : The twin-engine Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstorer (or "Destroyer" or even "Heavy Fighter" in some sources) was initially designed to meet a German specification for a "high-speed bomber and heavy fighter". The result was the less-than-maneuverable Bf 110 prototype that went into service as a bomber escort and bomber destroyer. The Bf 110 became a dominant force in the skies throughout the 1939 year, particularly in the invasion of Poland. The Bf110 could bring to bear its formidable array of 2 x 30mm and 2 x 30mm cannons onto a bomber target and annihilate it with great ease. The rear gunner cockpit was armed with an additional 2 x 7.92mm machine gun assembly that provided a rear-guard defensive armament.
With the dominance shown over Poland, the Bf 110 entered full-scale wartime production to the tune of 100 aircraft delivered per month. By 1940, however, limitations in the maneuverability of the aircraft soon became apparent and the system was highly exploited. As a consequence, losses of Bf110 aircrew and plane began to mount. With the adding losses, the Bf 110 was relegated to nightfighter role after less-than-stellar performances as a true bomber and reconnaissance platform. The nightfighting Bf 110 would eventually come into its own once again with the introduction of radar. Nightfighting Bf 110's could once again take to the skies with confidence and wreak havoc on incoming bomber formations in the blackness of night.
The Bf 110 series would see action throughout the entire war, generating a decent list of air combat aces along the way. Though it has suffered from its share of developmental and engineering drawbacks, the Bf110 system eventually found role for itself in the global conflict, becoming a most important fighter/bomber hybrid for the Third Reich.
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