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Focke-Wulf Ta 152 by Thomas H. Hitchcock

Eagle Editions: Focke-Wulf Ta 152 by Thomas H. Hitchcock
Foreward by Willi Reschke
Standard Edition ISBN 978-0-914144-53-3   $69.95
Deluxe Edition ISBN 978-0-914144-50-2  $115.00

This book has been a long time in coming, (originally to be published by the now defunct ‘Monogram Aviation Publications’), with some thinking it would never see the light of day. Eagle Editions have now made this long awaited book available to us through their own publishing label, and well worth the wait it has been! Eagle Editions have released this book in two editions; Standard and Deluxe, with the latter being a leather bound version, signed by Ta 152 pilot and author of the Foreward, Willi Reschke. My review copy, and review is of the former edition.

First, some statistics, shamelessly copied from Eagle Editions website.

‘Ta 152’ has 208  pages, glossy edge folded dust-jacket, hardcover 9" X 12" format, 180 photos, 40 colour photos, 36 colour illustrations, 75 drawing plus 19 tables and charts.

Now, with that out of the way, how is the actual book that we’ve all been waiting to see?

This new book comprises six chapters, the first of which deals with the evolution of the radial engine Fw 190A series, through to the ‘Dora’ series. During this part of the war, this book highlights how the evolution of the Fw 190 was not just literally engineered, but also politically engineered. This fascinating chapter demonstrates the various powerplants and their performances, and how the final choices for the airframes were made.

The next chapter takes this theme a step further as progress for the best Fw 190 powerplant continues, but under severe strain from both the war-hit manufacturing quarter; the shortages of skilled aero-engine technicians in the development area, and thus the serious reliability problems from the favoured Jumo 213 inline engine. Despite the ensuing problems, the book states the Focke-Wulf engineers sure hopes for these to be fixed, despite the worsening war situation. It wasn’t uncommon for aero engine technicians to actually avail themselves to the Focke Wulf production line, ironing out issues so that production targets could be realised.

Throughout the text, Thomas Hitchcock shares with us snippets of the current war situation, whether directly applicable or not, thus giving the reader a more rounded appreciation for the circumstances under which these fighters were both designed and engineered.

It is at this juncture in the book where the RLM’s request for high altitude fighters is mentioned, and the subsequent clandestine meeting between Hitler and his chief aircraft designers at the Berghof. Here, various machines from the likes of both Messerschmitt and Focke-Wulf were discussed, including the Me 209, Me 309 and the eventually stillborn Ta 153 project. The worsening war situation for the Germans dictated that airframes should, where possible, utilise as many sub sections and components of existing machines, in order to reduce the need for re-jigging and the consequential time delays that would arise from this. The Ta 153, despite its obvious lineage of the Fw 190 line, had a totally reworked fuselage which did away with the fuselage lengthening ‘plug’ employed on the ‘Dora’ series machines. Another 153 refinement was the ‘flameless’ exhaust system which was dropped. The newly designated Ta 152 machine would carry a standard A/D series wing on regular fighters, with a reworked Dora fuselage and wide chord tail unit. This was to blossom into the Ta 152 machine that we now know.

Intrigues and personal friendships’ at the top of Hitler’s dictatorship could also show how decisions made in good faith could simply be overturned.

The next chapter deals pretty much with high-altitude variants of existing machines and paper/prototypical machines, such as the Bf 109H, Me 155 and Fw 190D, Ta 152 machines. Here we are presented with technical detail on the merits/demerits of these machines. The following chapter is literally a ‘clear out’ called ‘Asset Management’, where the relatively large number of contenders for production are whittled down to a much smaller list, and where the Ta 153 is finally killed off for good. Again, the on-going theme of powerplant options available to Focke-Wulf are discussed, and immaculately described and illustrated. There really does seem to be a penchant for discussing literally all aero-engine variants which could possibly have been considered, even if only marginally.The introduction of the high-altidude H-0 variant of the Ta 152 into its testing phase is now discussed as well as the short standard winged Ta 152C.

The penultimate chapter deals with the fall of Nazi Germany and the possibilities that could have been made of the Ta 152. This machine, in my opinion, was a serious contender for possibility of ultimate piston engine fighter, and those who flew it give their combat recollections, including Foreward author, Willi Reschke. This area, with its superb colour profiles of the Ta 152, to me, is the highlight of this excellent book.

The final chapter simply had to deal with the sole surviving Ta 152 at the NASM in the United States. A wealth of detailed colour photography caps off this book, and leaves me quite saddened that no other examples of this machine were kept. The NASM machine has, for a long while, looked worse for wear, as is the Horten Ho 229. We can only wait for their full restoration to display status.

So what do we think?

‘Ta 152’ is an immaculately presented tome with a wealth of information. If I am honest, this is more a book aimed at the Luftwaffe researcher and historian, than it is at the Luftwaffe modeller. Sometimes a little heavy going to read, this book is indeed laden with rich seams of information, the like of which I have never experienced in a book on any other Luftwaffe type. In areas, I found Mr. Hitchcocks writing style to be a little out of phase with my reading style and I had to go back and re-read some information that perhaps I hadn’t concentrated on fully to start with, or plain misunderstood. The evolution and machinations of the Ta 152, along with the ‘Dora’ and anticipated Ta 152 are quite complex, but described in their entirety. I don’t think any other book exists on this subject which is as thoroughly researched and presented. It’s a little easy to get distracted by the odd historical interlude or performance chart, but that is only a slight criticism. I do wish, however, that more photographs of the NASM machine were included. Without reference, I’m sure there are several I have seen before, but I could be wrong. Highly recommended.

Overall: 8/10

Many thanks to Eagle Editions for the sample used in this review.