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Description

Link: www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfug…

Some background:
The roots of the GDR's air forces laid in the time even before the founding of the National People's Army. The aim was to provide a structural basis and a basis for building the expertise needed to deploy and operate air forces. For this purpose, in 1951, initially under the lead of the Ministry of the Interior and under the influence of Soviet advisors, the so-called Kasernierte Volkspolizei (People's Police (Air) Quartered in Barracks (= on constant duty), KVP) with staff from the People's Police Air (VP-Luft) was set up in Berlin-Johannisthal. It was not a true air force, but rather a training unit that prepared the foundation of a true military power.

However, the KVP led to the GDR's 1st Air Division with three regiments. Training was carried out from 1953 onwards on various Soviet types, including the An-2, MiG-15, La-9 (only for training on the ground), Yak-18 and Yak-11 aircraft. All equipment was provided by the Soviet Union. However, from the beginning of 1952, the training of the future ground crew and the pilots in the so-called X course began secretly, and at the same time the GDR tried to build and test aeronautic engineering competences.

For this purpose, a military unit was established at the VEB Flugzeugwerke Dresden (FWD), an institution which was also the workplace of Brunolf Baade, the designer of the Baade 152 airliner which was built and tested between 1956 and 1961. The GDR's newly formed Air Division was keen on an ingenious fighter aircraft, despite the modern MiG-15 having become available from the USSR. The primary subject was a re-build of the WWII Messerschmitt Me 262, but the lack of plans and especially of suitable engines soon led to an end of this project, even though contacts with Avia in Czechoslovakia were made where a small number of Me 262 had been produced as S-92 fighters and trainers.
Since many senior pilots in GDR service had experience with the WWII Bf 109, and there had been a considerable number of more or less finished airframes after the Soviet occupation of Eastern Germany, FWD proposed a modernization program for the still existing material, much like the Avia S-199 program in Czechoslovakia.

The project received the code number "53" (for the year of its initiation) and structural basis for the not-so-new fighter for the GDR's nascent air force were primarily late Bf 109G and some Bf 109K airframes, reflected by an "A" and "B" suffix. Unlike the Czechoslovakian Avia S-199, which was re-engined with a rather sluggish Junkers Jumo 211 F, the FWD-53 fighter from Dresden was to be powered by a supercharged Mikulin AM-35 engine. This was a considerable reduction in output, since the late Bf 109 engines produced up to 2.000 hp, while the AM-35 just provided 1.400 hp. With some tuning and local modifications, however, the engine for the service aircraft was pushed to yield 1.100 kW (1,500 hp), and the fact that it was smaller and lighter than the original engine somewhat compensated for the lack of power.
Another feature that differed from the S-199 was the radiator system: the original Bf 109 underwing coolers were retained, even though the internal systems were replaced with new and more efficient heat exchangers and a new plumbing.

In order to save weight, the FWD-53's armament was relatively light. It consisted of a pair of heavy 12.7 mm Berezin UBS machine guns and a single 23 mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-23 cannon. These three weapons were mounted above the engine, synchronized to fire through the propeller disc. This standard armament could be augmented with a further pair of NS-23 cannon, carried in pods under the outer wings (instead of a pair of bombs of up to 250 kg caliber). Alternatively, a ventral hardpoint allowed the carriage of a single 500 kg (1.100 lb) bomb or a 300l drop tank.

In the course of 1952 and 1953, a total of 39 Bf 109 airframes from GDR and also Czech and Polish origin were converted or re-built from existing components at Dresden. At the end of November 1953, the KVP's reorganization was carried out as a staff of the administration of the units initially called Aero clubs in Cottbus and the change of subordination by the MoI directly under the Deputy Minister and head of the Kasernierten People's Police. The air regiments were restructured into Aeroklubs 1 (Cottbus), 2 (Drewitz) and 3 (Bautzen), which in turn were divided into two sections. From 1954 onwards, the FWD-53 fleet joined these training units and were primarily tasked with advanced weapons training and dissimilar aerial combat.

On March 1, 1956, the GDR's air forces were officially formed as part of the Nationale Volksarmee (NVA, National People's Army). First of all the management of the aeroclubs, according to the Soviet model, gave rise to the Administrations Air Force (LSK) in Cottbus and Air Defense (LV) in Strausberg (Eggersdorf). The initial plans were to found three Jagdfliegerdivisionen (fighter squadrons), a Schlachtfliegerdivision (attack squadron) and a Flak (AA gunnery) division, but only the 1st and 3rd Air Division and the 1st Flak Division were eventually set up. On June 1, 1957, a merger of both administrations in Strausberg (Eggersdorf) resulted in another renaming, and the Air Force/Air Defense Command (detachment LSK/LV) was born.

From this point on, almost all operational front line units were equipped with the Soviet MiG-15. The FWD-53s were quickly, together with other piston engine types, relegated to second line units and used in training and liaison roles. The last FWD-53 was retired in 1959.

General characteristics:
Crew: One
Length: 9.07 m (29 ft 8 1/2 in)
Wingspan: 9.925 m (32 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.60 m (8 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 16.05 m² (173.3 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,247 kg (5,893 lb)
Loaded weight: 3,148 kg (6,940 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 3,400 kg (7,495 lb)

Powerplant:
1× Mikulin AM-35A(D) liquid-cooled V12 engine with 1,080 kW (1,500 hp),
driving a three-bladed light-alloy propeller with 3.2m (10 ft 4 ½ in) diameter

Performance:
Maximum speed: 640 km/h (398 mph) at 6,300 m (20,669 ft)
Cruise speed: 590 km/h (365 mph) at 6,000 m (19,680 ft)
Range: 850 km (528 mi) 1,000 km (621 mi) with drop tank
Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,370 ft)
Rate of climb: 17.0 m/s (3,345 ft/min)
Wing loading: 196 kg/m² (40 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 344 W/kg (0.21 hp/lb)

Armament:
1× 23 mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-23 cannon with 75 rounds
2× 12.7 mm (0.5 in) Berezin UBS machine guns with 300 RPG
all mounted above the engine and synchronized to fire through the propeller arc
A total external ordnance of 500 kg (1.100 lb), including 1× 250 kg (551 lb) bomb or 1 × 300-litre (79
US gal) drop tank on a centerline hardpoint, or 2x 250 kg bombs or 2x 23 mm Nudelman-Suranov
NS-23 cannon with 60 rounds in pods under the outer wings

Description

Link: www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfug…

Some background:
The roots of the GDR's air forces laid in the time even before the founding of the National People's Army. The aim was to provide a structural basis and a basis for building the expertise needed to deploy and operate air forces. For this purpose, in 1951, initially under the lead of the Ministry of the Interior and under the influence of Soviet advisors, the so-called Kasernierte Volkspolizei (People's Police (Air) Quartered in Barracks (= on constant duty), KVP) with staff from the People's Police Air (VP-Luft) was set up in Berlin-Johannisthal. It was not a true air force, but rather a training unit that prepared the foundation of a true military power.

However, the KVP led to the GDR's 1st Air Division with three regiments. Training was carried out from 1953 onwards on various Soviet types, including the An-2, MiG-15, La-9 (only for training on the ground), Yak-18 and Yak-11 aircraft. All equipment was provided by the Soviet Union. However, from the beginning of 1952, the training of the future ground crew and the pilots in the so-called X course began secretly, and at the same time the GDR tried to build and test aeronautic engineering competences.

For this purpose, a military unit was established at the VEB Flugzeugwerke Dresden (FWD), an institution which was also the workplace of Brunolf Baade, the designer of the Baade 152 airliner which was built and tested between 1956 and 1961. The GDR's newly formed Air Division was keen on an ingenious fighter aircraft, despite the modern MiG-15 having become available from the USSR. The primary subject was a re-build of the WWII Messerschmitt Me 262, but the lack of plans and especially of suitable engines soon led to an end of this project, even though contacts with Avia in Czechoslovakia were made where a small number of Me 262 had been produced as S-92 fighters and trainers.
Since many senior pilots in GDR service had experience with the WWII Bf 109, and there had been a considerable number of more or less finished airframes after the Soviet occupation of Eastern Germany, FWD proposed a modernization program for the still existing material, much like the Avia S-199 program in Czechoslovakia.

The project received the code number "53" (for the year of its initiation) and structural basis for the not-so-new fighter for the GDR's nascent air force were primarily late Bf 109G and some Bf 109K airframes, reflected by an "A" and "B" suffix. Unlike the Czechoslovakian Avia S-199, which was re-engined with a rather sluggish Junkers Jumo 211 F, the FWD-53 fighter from Dresden was to be powered by a supercharged Mikulin AM-35 engine. This was a considerable reduction in output, since the late Bf 109 engines produced up to 2.000 hp, while the AM-35 just provided 1.400 hp. With some tuning and local modifications, however, the engine for the service aircraft was pushed to yield 1.100 kW (1,500 hp), and the fact that it was smaller and lighter than the original engine somewhat compensated for the lack of power.
Another feature that differed from the S-199 was the radiator system: the original Bf 109 underwing coolers were retained, even though the internal systems were replaced with new and more efficient heat exchangers and a new plumbing.

In order to save weight, the FWD-53's armament was relatively light. It consisted of a pair of heavy 12.7 mm Berezin UBS machine guns and a single 23 mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-23 cannon. These three weapons were mounted above the engine, synchronized to fire through the propeller disc. This standard armament could be augmented with a further pair of NS-23 cannon, carried in pods under the outer wings (instead of a pair of bombs of up to 250 kg caliber). Alternatively, a ventral hardpoint allowed the carriage of a single 500 kg (1.100 lb) bomb or a 300l drop tank.

In the course of 1952 and 1953, a total of 39 Bf 109 airframes from GDR and also Czech and Polish origin were converted or re-built from existing components at Dresden. At the end of November 1953, the KVP's reorganization was carried out as a staff of the administration of the units initially called Aero clubs in Cottbus and the change of subordination by the MoI directly under the Deputy Minister and head of the Kasernierten People's Police. The air regiments were restructured into Aeroklubs 1 (Cottbus), 2 (Drewitz) and 3 (Bautzen), which in turn were divided into two sections. From 1954 onwards, the FWD-53 fleet joined these training units and were primarily tasked with advanced weapons training and dissimilar aerial combat.

On March 1, 1956, the GDR's air forces were officially formed as part of the Nationale Volksarmee (NVA, National People's Army). First of all the management of the aeroclubs, according to the Soviet model, gave rise to the Administrations Air Force (LSK) in Cottbus and Air Defense (LV) in Strausberg (Eggersdorf). The initial plans were to found three Jagdfliegerdivisionen (fighter squadrons), a Schlachtfliegerdivision (attack squadron) and a Flak (AA gunnery) division, but only the 1st and 3rd Air Division and the 1st Flak Division were eventually set up. On June 1, 1957, a merger of both administrations in Strausberg (Eggersdorf) resulted in another renaming, and the Air Force/Air Defense Command (detachment LSK/LV) was born.

From this point on, almost all operational front line units were equipped with the Soviet MiG-15. The FWD-53s were quickly, together with other piston engine types, relegated to second line units and used in training and liaison roles. The last FWD-53 was retired in 1959.

General characteristics:
Crew: One
Length: 9.07 m (29 ft 8 1/2 in)
Wingspan: 9.925 m (32 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.60 m (8 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 16.05 m² (173.3 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,247 kg (5,893 lb)
Loaded weight: 3,148 kg (6,940 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 3,400 kg (7,495 lb)

Powerplant:
1× Mikulin AM-35A(D) liquid-cooled V12 engine with 1,080 kW (1,500 hp),
driving a three-bladed light-alloy propeller with 3.2m (10 ft 4 ½ in) diameter

Performance:
Maximum speed: 640 km/h (398 mph) at 6,300 m (20,669 ft)
Cruise speed: 590 km/h (365 mph) at 6,000 m (19,680 ft)
Range: 850 km (528 mi) 1,000 km (621 mi) with drop tank
Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,370 ft)
Rate of climb: 17.0 m/s (3,345 ft/min)
Wing loading: 196 kg/m² (40 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 344 W/kg (0.21 hp/lb)

Armament:
1× 23 mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-23 cannon with 75 rounds
2× 12.7 mm (0.5 in) Berezin UBS machine guns with 300 RPG
all mounted above the engine and synchronized to fire through the propeller arc
A total external ordnance of 500 kg (1.100 lb), including 1× 250 kg (551 lb) bomb or 1 × 300-litre (79
US gal) drop tank on a centerline hardpoint, or 2x 250 kg bombs or 2x 23 mm Nudelman-Suranov
NS-23 cannon with 60 rounds in pods under the outer wings