In 1943, the Bf. 109 was obsolete, and the Fw 190 had issues with high altitude flight as well as not being produced enough. As a result Hermann Goering, aviation minister, asked Willie Messerschmitt to design a new high-altitude fighter capable of operating at the altitude of USAF bombers. Messerschmitt replied with the Bf. 209 Falke (Falcon). The Falke was powered with a 16 cylinder engine, and armed with 4 20mm autocannons and 6 12.7mm machine guns in the nose and wing mounts respectively. The Bf. 209 was also designed with a bubble canopy similar to the P-51D. By 1944 the Bf. 209 was produced in larger numbers than any other German fighter aircraft. In 1945, the Falke was credited with 103 air kills, and its introduction has been estimated to have prolonged the war by 2 years. After Germany’s defeat in 1947, the Allies captured 76 Bf. 209s, with US and British engineers marvelling at the design. Small word of warning, this design can be touchy on takeoff, it may nose up vertically and stall if you aren’t careful. Otherwise it’s nice and smooth. Enjoy!