In 1941 the Luftwaffe introduced the FW190 providing a formidable foe to the RAF s fighters The Mk IX was a significant improvement on the Mk V It had a top speed of 409 mph at 28 000 feet an increase of 40 miles per hour Its service ceiling rose from 36 200 feet to 43 000 feet It could climb at 4 000 feet per minute providing a match for the new German fighter Skill Level 1