Nice work, seriously
Now you have convinced me that potentially the second to last Ta152, ever built (42 out of 43 if I remember right), saw action in the last nine days of the war, and it was a H1.
But did it have both MW50 and GM1?
Out of the very same book, on page 91, second column, second sentence.
"It is not known whether later Ta-152H-1's, with MW50 or GM1 power boost were flown in action, and former pilots are also unable to confirm this". When the author is referencing the "later" aircraft, he means the production aircraft and not the prototype aircraft.
Also lets look at the last deliveries of the Ta152's. From page 109, concerning delivered aircraft.
"Eighteen more Ta152H-O's were accepted in December 1944". <snip> "Twenty more Ta152H were accepted in January 1945 and the last three in February. After this production at Cottbus ended for good due to missing components and relocation measures."
Note he doesn't say if the last 23 delivered were either H-0's or H-1's, and lets not forget that only 43 total were built.
"Now on 16 January 1945 Neuhausen, was attacked by approximately forty Lightnings and Mustangs, destroying fourteen brand new Ta-152H and damaging another." These were the aircraft delivered in January that were waiting to be picked up by JG301. So of the 20 aircraft delivered in January, 14 were destroyed and another heavily damaged. So only 6 of these aircraft were actually delivered to the combat unit.
So giving you the benefit of the doubt, there were at best 9 Ta152-H1's that saw service with JG301. And this is unconfirmed.
Most likely only the last 3 aircraft delivered in February were H1's.
To support this notice that the only planes identified in the book as H1's in photo's were were werk #'s 167 (p.112), 168 (p.118), and 169 (p.116). And werk # 169, when captured was not in a flyable condition missing a propellor and other equipment(p.116).
All other captured 152's in the book are identified as H0's.
Also notice that the last delivery of 20 aircraft are werk numbers up thru 040, and then the last 3 jumped up to number 167-169, potentially indicating the point where the production switched from H0's to H1's. But that admittedly, is my own guess given the data available.
So in conclusion,
I was wrong. I
apologize. Congratulations on your research and digging thru these books.
Potentially up to 9, but most likely only 3, Ta152-H1's were delivered to JG/301. But at least one saw combat service during the last nine days of the war.
Now, my last question for you Nath and the rest of the Luftwaffe contingent. Under your own definition, does this meet either of the typical two conditions we look at in Aces High. "Produced in significant numbers?" and or "Did it ever see combat?".
I personally will accept you guys decision either way. But be careful, because whichever way you decide, I plan to remember for the future when you start debating this same issue for other aircraft.
So whats your answer?
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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure
