Originally posted by skyctpn
I provided what could be termed as a source there snookums. Find a source that counters my point and ill agree with you.. before then bucko your just making noise.
You like wiki as a source, I assume... From wiki
here: "Most of the Bf 109K "Kurfürst" series saw duty. This series was the last evolution of the Bf 109. The K series was a response to the bewildering array of series, models, modification kits and factory conversions for the Bf 109, which made production and maintenance complicated and costly — something Germany could ill-afford late in the war. The RLM ordered Messerschmitt to rationalise production of the Bf 109, consolidating parts, types etc to produce a uniform, standard model with better interchangeability of parts and equipment. This was to have started in the later models of the G series, but things went in quite the opposite direction. The RLM told Messerschmitt, in effect, to try harder, and the K series was born. Work on the new version began in 1943, and the prototype was ready by the autumn of that year. Series production started in August 1944 due to delays with continuous changes and the new DB605D powerplant.
Operational service began in October 1944, and large numbers — approximately 200 — were delivered to frontline units by the end of the month. By the end of January 1945, despite continuous heavy fighting, over 300 K-4s — about every fourth 109 — were listed on hand with the 1st line Luftwaffe units.Only the K-4 saw action in numbers, with approximately 1,700 being delivered by factories before the end of hostilities."
Even with attrition, 300 were on hand in combat units at the end of January. That alone is 18% of the total manufactured available at that time. If you add the 200 delivered to combat units in October of '44, you already have 30% of the total being issued. So, even without looking at the balance of deliveries, your "90% never left the ground intact" statement is shot to hell.
My regards,
Widewing
