Focke Wulf FW 190 D9

Model: Focke Wulf FW 190 D9
Pilot: Theo Nibel
Operation Bodenplatte, January 1945

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 D-9, nicknamed “Dora,” was a late variant of the successful German Fw 190 fighter, designed to overcome the altitude and performance limitations of earlier versions. It offered greater speed and better performance at high altitudes.

Operation Bodenplatte was a massive and final assault raid by the German Luftwaffe on January 1, 1945, to destroy Allied aircraft on the ground in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. While the Luftwaffe inflicted significant losses on allied airfields, the losses they sustained meant the beggining of the end of the Luftwaffe as way too many seasoned pilots were lost that day and never again the Luftwaffe had the upper hand in the air.

Nibel was forced to make an emergency landing as something, presumably a bird, hit his engine. Plane was recovered by allied forces.

The scale model kit is from Tamiya, in 1:48 scale, built out of box with photoetched parts for the seat belts.