Development of the Fw 190 D-9 started in 1942 as a high-altitude interceptor to counter the Allied air threat on the Western front. The ‘Dora’ as it was known, included many cutting-edge technologies of the time. Its elongated nose housed the high-altitude liquid cooled Jumo 213А-1 engine equipped with MW-50 water-methanol injection system that enabled it to develop power up to 2100 HP. The armament consisted of two 13mm MG131 machine guns in the nose and two 20mm MG 151/20 cannons in the wing root. It started to appear above the front lines during Autumn 1944 and although it got a cold initial reception from the German pilots, it later earned their trust and is considered to be the best German piston-powered fighter of the late war period. The Dora would often be used to protect Me 262 jets during their vulnerable landing phase. Allied pilots would try to down the hapless jets as they were low on fuel and trying to land.