The Story Of The Fw190 D-13 ‘Dora’

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 D-13 Dora is one of the most advanced piston-engine fighters ever built, and it’s a true rarity today. Built just two months before the end of World War II, it was fitted with the most powerful engine of its time—the Junker Jumo 213—and less than 100 were ever made.

A Piston-Engine Powerhouse

The Fw 190 D-13 was a significant evolution of the successful Fw 190 fighter series. Earlier models used BMW radial engines, but the D-13 featured a liquid-cooled inline engine, giving it a distinctive long-nose profile. This design tweak improved aerodynamics and center of gravity, making it more agile and faster than its predecessors.

The Dora was more than capable of competing with legendary Allied fighters like the P-51 Mustang and late-model Spitfires. Unfortunately for Germany, the lack of well-trained pilots and severe fuel shortages during the final stages of the war made it less effective than it could have been.

The Last Remaining Dora

This particular Fw 190 D-13 is the only surviving airworthy “Dora” from the war. It first entered service in March 1945 as the commander’s plane of Fighter Wing 26, flown by Major Franz Goetz, an ace pilot with 63 kills. At the end of the war, Goetz surrendered the plane to the RAF and it was shipped to Freeman Airfield, Indiana for evaluation.

A Long Journey of Restoration

After the war, several long-nosed Fw 190s made their way to the United States for testing and evaluation. This particular Dora ended up at Georgia Technical University, where it fell into disrepair until it was purchased by Doug Champlin in 1972. Champlin had it shipped to Germany for a four-year restoration, completing the project in 1976. The aircraft was then displayed at the Champlin Fighter Aircraft Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Over the years, the plane changed hands several times. In 2001, when Champlin retired, he sold his collection to the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington, but the Dora remained in Mesa for further restoration until 2007. That year, Paul Allen acquired it for his Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum. In 2021, the aircraft changed owners again and was purchased by Steuart Walton.

An Airworthy Warbird

Today, this beautifully restored Fw 190 D-13 is in mint condition and remains the only airworthy Dora in the world. It’s a flying piece of history—a powerful reminder of a bygone era of piston-engine fighters and the innovative engineering behind them.