I will give my opinion on the so called "fudging" thing. This goes back to an old arguement in some CT and Event circles about "no subbing a/c", and so two camps evolved: one camp advocated substitutions that made sense, the other camp was rabidly opposed to any subs at all...
And so the same with "lists", we had a grp advocating a service list that was strictly based on the exact sub types involved (eg. A6M5b), and those that wanted a more "generic list" to cover area where the planseset was small.
As an ex-CM and a fellow who participted in many events I am firmly in the "generic brand" camp.
Imho, a strict, sub type specific, uncompromising list is perhaps interesting to look at....but is also usless on many occasions as a tool, which is what its for. This is where people get lost, the list is not to just look at and say "gee wiz look at that date", its supposed to be of some help to Event organisers, and with the limited set in AH, I think "sensible" substitutions need to be used.
And so, any list needs to reflect that.
As for "service dates" they sometimes reflect deployment to a specfic combat area...rather than a strict 1st in service date. Example the Spit XIV. That is not a "fudged date" its a "deployed to Holland" date, I did not just get "9-44" out of a hat. The F4U-1 of 2-43, thats also a deployed date, which is later than its strict in service date.
The dates are not "accusations" that a certain ac saw no combat at all, prior to the date involved, but are sometimes...sometimes I said, a date that perhaps reflects a more reasonable time frame for sqn service.
But, its not my list. Mr Fork is the one who will decide what he wants to do with it.
I may publish my own list, who knows.
In the immortal words of Dirty Harry "I may just make my own dead pool, and put you on it".
