A bit questionable then, IIRC. Weren't only 4 aircraft released for ground attack missions, while the rest shot at buzz bombs (IMO, it doesn't really count as combat, since the buzz bombs weren't trying to blow them up), and flying patrol over friendly airspace.
IIRC, didn't make any kills (on actual aircraft, buzz bombs don't count IMO) either, correct? Shouldn't that alone put the Salamander ahead of the Meteor III from a combat-perspective.
I would of probably agreed with this a year ago, in fact I have - however What do you define as combat? Meteors did ground attack missions and faced anti aircraft fire, they were held in reserve for a valid REASON, I don't think that dismisses them as Combat Ready.
From a combat perspective - He-162 was not in squadron strength, it was rushed into combat where the meteor has already been around for months and in squadron strength.
You cannot simply dismiss the Meteor because it wasn't pressed into front line combat, in my opinion BOTH earned their rights to be in aces high, not one over the other however, both served their respective duties, one defended what was left of Germany and the other wasn't needed.
look at the perspective of the war, Me-262s barely could put a few dozen in the air at one time, He-162? I doubt even that - did the British really need to "push" the Meteor to the front lines? Nah they didn't need too, P51s and Tempests roamed the countryside and took care of the Me-262 threat.
If the 262 came out earlier and in numbers - it would certainly of been pressed, however at this stage in the war - the luftwaffe barely managed to get planes in the Air.
I think both should be added, but not before the other I see no reason for it.
Karnak will agree with my first statement, I was completely against the Meteor until I researched the squadron and read why It was held in reserve, I completely believe it would of been pressed otherwise.