Author Topic: Aircraft/Vehicle Service Dates (Read 1071 times)

Widewing · « **Reply #30 on:** October 28, 2005, 09:23:22 AM »

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Originally posted by Widewing
P-47D-25s were first issued to the 8th AF Groups on May 22, 1944. The 56th received 3 of them. By the beginning of August only about 40% of the 56th were flying D-25s or D-26s, most of the 56th was still using the D-22-RE and D-23-RA. Evansville built D-26s began trickling into units in early July, even though they were arriving in Britain prior to D-Day (they had to be assembled, test flown and have new radios installed). Issue dates for the D-27s and D-28s literally overlapped, but all three (D-27-RE, D-28-RA and D-28-RE) types entering combat units by late August. D-30-REs and D-30-RAs (RE indicates built in Farmingdale, RA means built in Evansville) were in Britain by late October of 1944. Actual combat debut is in question, but not later than late November. D-30s were very busy during the Bulge offensive, mostly flying in the 9th AF.

I searched for overseas deployment dates for the P-47D-40-RA and found few references. Many never left CONUS. As to squadron use in the ETO or MTO, I saw no dates prior to 1/45. I'll keep looking, but I would use January of 1945 as the baseline for now.

My regards,

Widewing

Bruno · « **Reply #31 on:** October 28, 2005, 09:41:39 AM »

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I searched for overseas deployment dates for the P-47D-40-RA and found few references. Many never left CONUS. As to squadron use in the ETO or MTO, I saw no dates prior to 1/45. I'll keep looking, but I would use January of 1945 as the baseline for now.

I can't find much on it either. Most of my books mention the D-40-RA but no squadron service or squadron delivery/deployment dates.

Widewing · « **Reply #32 on:** October 28, 2005, 10:10:33 AM »

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Originally posted by Bruno
I can't find much on it either. Most of my books mention the D-40-RA but no squadron service or squadron delivery/deployment dates.

From I can determine, most if not all P-47 squadrons rotated back to CONUS from Europe in mid 1945 left their P-47s behind. Some were completely re-equipped with P-47D-40s upon return. I believe that it's probable that no P-47D-40 with a 45XXXXX serial number deployed to Europe and with the P-47N being rapidly placed in service, I doubt any went to the SWPA or PTO. It's possible some made it to the CBI, but this theater generally lagged behind the rest in terms of getting the latest aircraft. The 1st Air Commando Group was still flying a few razorback Jugs when Japan surrendered.

While I have no conclusive proof, I'm still leaning towards believing that only 44XXXXX serial number P-47D-40-RA fighters made it to Europe prior to the end of the war. This group, or block of aircraft numbered just 200, with one being turned over to the RAF for evaluation and at least 2 more being written-off in accidents stateside. That leaves just 197 to be issued to combat units.

My regards,

Widewing

Mister Fork · « **Reply #33 on:** October 28, 2005, 10:54:01 AM »

Thanks for all the dates guys. I guess for reference with Aces High - service dates are operational in squadrons and ready for combat. Whether they saw combat that month may be a moot point, but when creating scenarios, I guess we should be look at combat dates.

So, when I have the combat dates, I'll have those numbers updated and post again and ask for a sticky.

Was Japan using IJN planes before Pearl Harbour in other conflicts?

Squire · « **Reply #34 on:** October 28, 2005, 02:53:13 PM »

I will give you a quick rundown of what I have for the Fleet Air Arm, and you can add that to the Brits if you like.

Sources as above and here: http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Home.html

Hellcat 12-43 (ETO)

F4F (Martlet) 9-41 (ETO)

FM-2 (Wildcat VI) 6-44 (ETO)

Seafire III? 11-43 (ETO) (Source On Target Profiles #5)

F4U-1 4-44 (ETO)

F4U-1D 4-45 (PACIFIC)

Hurricane I (Sea Hurricane I sub) 3-41 (ETO)

Hurricane IIC (Sea Hurricane II sub) 10-42 (ETO)

TBM Avenger 2-43 (ETO)

*In response to the IJN Q, they were at war with China prior to Pearl Harbor, but I really think any date prior to 12-41 is academic at best for PAC.

*The AVG went into action for the 1st time in 12-41 "Flying Tigers".

As for the dates, I think some compromise is probably in order, for the most part, you want "deployed overseas" dates, or "first combat mission" dates, as long as they are somewhere "near reality". Like I say, you dont want the date of a USA based sqn in Seattle, you want to know when they had arrived in Theater ETO or PTO and were doing something, and you want to stay away from "the factory was making them" dates. I wouldnt sweat it too much, any dates are better than nothing. Do the best you can.

It should always be emphasised that anybody doing a setup should do a bit of legwork and check OOBs on their own anyways, the list is a handy quick guide, and exceptions should always be made for a good design.

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #35 on:** October 28, 2005, 04:50:14 PM »

The F4U-1 I think is wrong for the (PTO), should be 2/43.

10/42 is too early, hell Gaudalcanal was still being contested then.

Widewing · « **Reply #36 on:** October 28, 2005, 04:50:24 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Squire
I will give you a quick rundown of what I have for the Fleet Air Arm, and you can add that to the Brits if you like.

Sources as above and here: http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Home.html

F4F (Martlet) 9-41 (ETO)

G36 Martlets were in combat long before 9/41. From your website link:

"British Wildcats claimed their first victory on 25 December, 1940, almost a full year before the first American Wildcats saw action at Wake Island. On this occassion, Martlet I BJ562 of 804 squadron flown by Lt RHP Carver shot down Ju88 in Scapa Flow area, landed in a bog 1 mile south of Loch Skail. The kill was shared with Sub Lt TRV Parke."

My regards,

Widewing

Squire · « **Reply #37 on:** October 28, 2005, 05:02:04 PM »

Ya, I opted for ship borne use, which was 9-41. I guess either is ok.

Forgot about the USMC F4U-1, it really should be 2-43, same source as above thats when they combat debuted "in theater" in the Solomons, prior to that they are not really in a combat zone.

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #38 on:** October 28, 2005, 05:14:59 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Squire
Ya, I opted for ship borne use, which was 9-41. I guess either is ok.

Forgot about the USMC F4U-1, it really should be 2-43, same source as above thats when they combat debuted "in theater" in the Solomons, prior to that they are not really in a combat zone.

Exactly.

My understanding is the Marine sqauds got the F4U-1 and a few weeks to train and then headed for the canal.