The Focke-Wulf Fw190 was a single-seat fighter-bomber, powered by a BMW 801Dg 18-cylinder two-row radial engine. It began flying just before the commencement of World War Two; but it remained virtually unknown and was a nasty surprise indeed when it was finally encountered. The Fw190 was armed with two 13mm MG 131s above the engine, two 20mm MG 151/20s in the wing roots, and two MG 151/20s or 30mm MK 108s in the outerwings. The first flight of the FW190 was June 1, 1939 (FW190V1).

The Messerschmitt Me262 was a jet powered interceptor that came in three versions: the A-1a was a single-seat fighter, the A-2a was a single-seat bomber, and the B-1a was a two-seat night fighter. It was armed with four 30mm MK 108 cannon in the nose, though some versions came with various other weapon arrangements. The Me 262 first flew in April of 1941, but it did not see a combat assignment until June, 1944.

The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet was a single-seat, rocket-propelled interceptor. It was powered by one 3,7501b thrust Walter HWK 509A-2 bi-propellant rocket. It was armed with two 30mm MK 108 cannon mounted in the wing roots. Its first flight was in Spring of 1941 (Me 163VI) as a glider. Its first propelled flight was in August 1941. It saw combat in 1944.

The Air War of WWII

Decision In The Sky Over Europe
Luftwaffe Fighters: FW-190, ME-262, and ME-163