The A-36A Apache Attack/dive bomber version of the P-51 Mustang

The A-36A Apache  Attack/dive bomber version of the P-51 Mustang

The first A-36A Apache rolled out of the North American Aviation Inglewood, CA plant in September 1942, and rapidly progressed through flight testing in October. With deliveries starting soon after, the first production machines continued the use of nose-mounted .50 cal. machine guns along with four wing mounted .50 cal machine guns.

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Also known by the name “Invader”, the A-36A was a ground-attack/dive bomber version of the North American P-51 Mustang. Easily recognized by the rectangular slatted dive brakes above and below the wing, a total of 500 A-36 dive bombers being produced.

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In February 1942 serving alongside Curtiss P-40 Tomahawks, the P-51 Mustang I first saw combat as a low-altitude reconnaissance and ground-support aircraft. Mustang Is were first supplied to No. 26 Squadron RAF, then rapidly deployed to 10 additional squadrons by June 1942. Despite the limited high-altitude performance of the Allison V-1710 engine, the RAF was enthusiastic about its new mount, which they said performed magnificently.

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The Apache dive bomber/attack aircraft served in North Africa, the Mediterranean, Italy and the China-Burma-India theater during World War II until 1944.

Photos courtesy of Stan Piet from the Air Age Media Archives

Updated: November 26, 2019 — 2:46 PM

2 Comments

  1. If this is an online “article” I wonder when you will correct that “Apache” name.

    It’s almost humorous that you have continued to ignore history and stick with the wrong name for the A-36A Mustang.

    Come on, gang…fix it!

  2. Well, here it is, going on 2 years after the above message to you and you’re still calling the A-36A the “Apache.”

    It would take your webmaster (or whoever) to correct the name to “Mustang.”

    Please consider the correction – I still have tons of USAAF and NAA documentation to show that “Apache” never was an official name for the A-36A Mustang.

    Cheers.

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