[Epapazian]

Over the many years of air to air combat a number of nations have caught their opponents almost completely by surprise with the sudden introduction of a new warplane......sometimes with devastating results. For example, there was the great scourge of Allied aircraft in 1915 when Germany sent its Fokker Eindeckers into action. Other examples include: Japan's Mitsubishi A5M ("Claude" ) sweeping China's sky free of numerous Russian fighters and bombers fighting on the Nationalist side in 1937; Republican Spain's counter thrust to Hitler's Condor Legion and Italy's "volunteers" when it received its I-16s in the late thirties; the RAF's first encounters with Germany's FW-190A in cross channel fighter sweeps in the Spring of 1942; The Allies' stunning setbacks at the hands of Japan's "Zeros" from December 1941 to mid 1942; the rude awakening administered to U.S. bomber crews flying missions over Europe when they were bounced by the Luftwaffe's ME-262As early in 1944 and last, but not least, America's first taste of combat with Russian-piloted Mig-15s in Korea, circa late 1950 and 1951. Which of these situations, or any others you wish to cite, was the nastiest surprise. Remember, wer'e talking about surprises. The Germans were well familiar with the RAF's Spitfires and America's B-17s before meeting them in the skies.

[chiefs70]

All of these are great examples but I think my vote would be the introduction of the Fokker Eindekker. Up until its introduction pilots and observers were taking potshots at each other with pistols, rifles etc but the Eindekker was the first purpose built killer with syncronization gear. Considering how new aerial combat was I can't imagine what it felt like to engage one of them for the first time. Fokker Scourge, indeed.

[PappyB]

I vote for the 262 -- that had to be scary .... even if it was too little too late.

[Cavtanker]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

The Germans were well familiar with the RAF's Spitfires and America's B-17s before meeting them in the skies.

How about the introduction of the P-51 during daylight bombing raids?

[Captain Eddie]

Of course, it was only one man, so perhaps the entire German Air Force was not suprised, but, before the Fokker interrupter gear, Roland Garros was firing at German aircraft straight through his prop, and it CERTAINLY suprised his victims!

[Louie]

when the Japanese pilots realized they were fighting F6f Hellcats not Wildcats! (thanks to HC Dogfights series)

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by PappyB

I vote for the 262 -- that had to be scary .... even if it was too little too late.

I agree completely with PappyB on this one. Had the Luftwaffe fielded these jets much earlier, one can only imagine the staggering costs of collateral damage to the Allied airforces.
Many bomber crews who witnessed first hand the appearances of these 262s where literally stunned beyond their wits, and I can definitely relate to the distress they've all experienced.

[mikeb1958]

Originally Posted by PappyB

I vote for the 262 -- that had to be scary .... even if it was too little too late.

Yes, I did too! Just think of the surprised faces of the B-17 and B-24 pilots when they first saw this "new fighter" that didn't have propellors. Plus buzzing them so fast that the gun turrets couldn't even turn with them. Bet there were many a soiled pants when seeing the 262's. Plus the 4-30mm cannons of the 262's didn't help the situation much either.........

[Cardinal]

The nastiest surprise would've been the one you never saw coming ...

[bsmith13]

This was more of a surprise only for one person rather than a perpetual surprise, but when the subject was brought up, I couldn't help but think of Saburo Sakai over Guadalcanal. He had just succeeded in shooting down Pug Sutherland when he saw a flight of what he thought were F4Fs. He approached from low six, only to be fired upon by what turned out to be the tunnel guns of TBFs. That he made it all the way back to Rabaul with a bullet after the injuries he sustained is a great tribute to Sakai and the Zero.