Hi Funked,
>I disagree a little with that, only because there are some aircraft (e.g. Ta 152H, Ar 234) in the planeset for which no evidence exists of squadron-strength usage! Hence my choice of delivery date in-theater. Otherwise we are in agreement.
I'd rather make an exception for aircraft like these, if necessary, than to deviate from this rule. (In quite a few cases aircraft were delivered to the front before being actually operationally ready.)
However, the Focke-Wulf Ta 152H actually saw combat in squadron strength (probably for the first time) with III./JG301 on February 25, 1945. (Willi Reschke, "Jagdgeschwader JG301/302 'Wilde Sau'"). Later, operational losses reduced the number of available aircraft, restricting use of the Ta 152H to the Stabsschwarm only.
The Arado Ar 234B saw combat in squadron strength for the fist time on December 25, 1944, when III./KG76 launched an attack against Liege with 9 jet bombers. (Ethell/Price, "Deutsche Düsenflugzeuge im Kampfeinsatz").
Good list, by the way, it matches the dates I've found well, allowing for the usual error margin :-)
Some observations:
- 1st combat use of F4U-1 was February 1943 I thought?
- As far as I can tell, the Me 109G-10 was introduced in the second half of 1944 only
- The F6F date you give seems to be for the F6F-3 subvariant
- The Seafire IIc date seems to be that for the Ib variant.
Regards,
Henning (HoHun)