What about the A5's or any other early model Fws? I realize we only have the A5 though.
The FW 190 only saw very limited use in the MTO as a fighter. There were only 2 short detachments by individual Gruppe of Jg 2 to the MTO that I'm aware of. II/Jg 2 deployed with 190A-4's to Tunisia from November 1942 through March 1943 in response Operation Torch. They returned to France when Tunisia was evacuated. I/Jg 2 deployed to Italy from February 1944 through April 1944 in response to the Anzio landings. They had a mix of 190A-6's and A-7's - so a mix of our A-5 and A-8 would fit.
The problem is that I/Jg 2 left Italy at about the time that the P-51B entered service in the MTO. So the probable overlap is slim at best.
Were the F8s used to attack bombers in any kind of structured way?
I've never heard of any case of the F-8 being used with purpose in a fighter role. Any air-to-air claims would be cases of random opportunities for them to engage aircraft.
190 jabo units did engage in the occasional escort mission during 1943 after the fall of Tunisia and before the invasion of mainland Italy. They had 190A-4 and A-5's at this point and they were escorting other 190 jabos. Still not attacking bombers, but it is at least a dedicated fighter mission role.
