RE: Kurfursts suggested perk rate -
Perk is not based on rarity alone, or the 152 would be considerably higher that it is. But rather on that and overall performance.
Bearing in mind -
"Perhaps it has to do with the 15-30 mph level speed advantage displayed by the 109K-4 over the Mk XIV Spitfire, at all practical combat altitudes from Sea Level all the way up to 24 000 ft, even when compared to Mike`s own estimation/imagination of it`s +21 boost performance."
Nice Kurfurst (from your own site), you just proved a K4 should be at least equal to Spit XIV in perks, thankyou.
Whats sad is that all the latest Spit/109 threads have been hotly debated but cordial, until Kurfurst showed up accusing people of lying etc. Posting data that it selective and in some cases contradicts his own site.
Another from his site -
Olivier Lefebvre, noted authority on the BF 109, has stated:
AFAIK 1.98ata boost was cleared late February but it seems to have been slowly introduced into service, I suspect the adjustments needed on the engine and the change of sparkplugs type (supply problems ???) took longer than expected. From other documents I know that C3 and B4 had severe quality problems beginning in late 1944. While it was not much of a problem with low boost, it had some serious effect on higher boost, so it might also have slowed down the introduction of 1.98ata boost. At least DB documents underlined the need for cleaner fuels than those in use at that time. You can safely assume that by March 1945 1.98 ata boost was being introduced, unfortunately I do not have much details for April 1945, but I doubt it would have changed much, given the situation.
So we can ASSUME 1.98 was introduced from March 1945, and on another thread hes complaining about 150 grade fuel we KNOW started use in May 1944. (admitted on his site surprisingly)
Be very wary about Kurfursts comparisons - While the data is usually very accurate he will take data from say 1942 and use it to justify his claims for 1944.
Check the 100 grade in Spit 1 thread. He uses 1944 8th AF fuel usage to try a disprove RAF 100 grade fuel usage in 1940, ignoring the fact 1944 aircraft were more thirsty and carried many times more fuel than a 1940 Spit/Hurri.
The same is happening here using 1944 strengths to justify a 1945 1.98ATA K-4.
We know 79 were serviceable - When? Which date? How many day before, how many 2 days after, or is it pick the date which best suits you?
I worked on helis for 9 years, out of 12 aircraft an average of 2 or 3 would be U/S on any given day, but someitmes it would be all 12 were OK, other days 6 might be down. So I could pick a good day and say we know 12 were serviceable.
Everything on your own site site Kurfurst shows there is NO reason to have a 1.98 K-4 in AH2.
To sum up
VE Day was May 1945, 'maybe' (a big maybe) K4 using 1.98ata at the earliest March 1945, more likely April (if at all).
Anyone with sanity got something constructive to add to this interesting debate.