First flying in 1939 the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 proved to be an immediate threat to RAF fighters when introduced in late 1941 being faster & more manoeuvrable than the Spitfire V then in service This A-8 version was the most numerous & heavily armed variant which entered service in 1944 as an attempt to stop the Allied daylight raids however by then the new Allied fighters had begun to outclass it