I was going by the Squadron/Signal P-51 In Action book, which states-
"Contrary to popular belief, the P-51H never saw combat in any war. It was the only Mustang never to do so and the only type not sold to any foreign nation. Although 370 aircraft had been delivered to the AAF prior to VJ Day, none found their way to combat units in time for the final fight. By the time the Krean War broke out in June 1950, the P-51Hs were all but phased out of active Air Force service. However, the H model did perform yeoman duties for the USAF in the tough years between the two wars when that service was in transition to an entirely jet inventory"
Oh, and I have to admit my error- looking closely at the photos in the book, hardpoint for bombs/tanks and rocket rails are visible, there is just nothing hung from them. That was an error in my admittedly bad memory.
In Late July of 1945, the 7th AF began receiving their initial P-51H fighters at Okinawa. Several of the these fighters were declared operational and began flying defensive combat patrols with the 15th FG. The purpose for this was to get pilots some seat time in the newer and significantly different Mustang. One thing noted by the pilots is that they generally found the seat to be less comfortable than that in the D model. This continued for about a week, until the surrender with just 3 P-51H fighters operational. No enemy was encountered.
That does seem to verify the statement that they never
saw combat. I didn't say that they never saw squadron service or never made to a combat theater. 3 examples flying a few familiarization flights and never encountering the enemy is, by definition, not combat.
BTW WW, please don't take this as my trying to get under your skin or start an argument. I'll be the first to admit that you know far more about these topics than I do, I'm simply stating the proven facts as I have perceived them. Feel free to prove me wrong, I just haven't seen reliable, documented proof of it.
