A36 Apache

[uptown]

Wiki says it had 6 .50 cals.  Which one had the 20 mils ? I thought it WAS the A36 

[Ranger45]

No it was a version of the P-51A.

The A-36 had two .50's in each wing and two in the nose, but they were in the bottom of the fusalage.

[MiloMorai]

No it was a version of the P-51A.

The A-36 had two .50's in each wing and two in the nose, but they were in the bottom of the fusalage.

Sorry Ranger but it was not the P-51A but the P-51 (no letter). The A-36 was based on the British Mustang I. The Mustang Ia had the 4 20mm cannons. The P-51A was the British Mustang II.

[rshubert]

The only USAAF Mustangs with 20 mm cannon were the 57 F-6A recon birds.  The British Mk. IA also had 20 mm cannons, but the US didn't use that version.  According to my sources, the Brits received 97 Mk. IAs.

<S>
Shubie

[MiloMorai]

The only USAAF Mustangs with 20 mm cannon were the 57 F-6A recon birds.  The British Mk. IA also had 20 mm cannons, but the US didn't use that version.  According to my sources, the Brits received 97 Mk. IAs.

<S>
Shubie

93 to GB

91-12001 > 12012
91-12028
91-12033 > 12072
91-12091 > 12130

55 to USAAC

91-11961 > 12000
91-12014 > 12027
91-12029 > 12032
91-12073 > 12081
91-12083 > 12090

All the above from the same contract were 20mm armed. The only difference between the British and American a/c was the camera fitted to the American a/c.

[Ranger45]

Sorry Ranger but it was not the P-51A but the P-51 (no letter). The A-36 was based on the British Mustang I. The Mustang Ia had the 4 20mm cannons. The P-51A was the British Mustang II.

Thanks for the correction, though I'm not sure that the A-36 was based on any Mustang, I thought the A-36 came along before any version of the Mustang.  I may very well be wrong and would appreciate the correction if I am.

Either way I think the A-36 would be a very cool addition.

[Ack-Ack]

Thanks for the correction, though I'm not sure that the A-36 was based on any Mustang, I thought the A-36 came along before any version of the Mustang. 

The A-36 Apache/Invader is the ground-attack/dive bomber version of the Mustang.  The Mustang had already seen some action with the RCAF before the Apache/Invader was produced. 


ack-ack

[AWwrgwy]

With no funds for pursuit aircraft, as fighters were then called, Lt. Kelsey came up with a way to beat the system and get some additional Mustangs on order for the USAAC.  Using some remaining funds for attack aircraft, Kelsey asked North American to develop a dive bomber version of the NA-73.  Choosing A-36, which was the next available attack designation, Kelsey ordered 500 of these dive bomber versions on April 16, 1942.

wrongway

[uptown]

So the British Mustang Ia had the birdcage canopy, dive flaps and cannons?

[Ack-Ack]

So the British Mustang Ia had the birdcage canopy, dive flaps and cannons?

A-36 Apache/Invader was the only Mustang variant to have dive brakes.  The Mustang Ia had the birdcage canopy and 4x 20mm cannons.


ack-ack

[uptown]

cc 

[AWwrgwy]

So the British Mustang Ia had the birdcage canopy, dive flaps and cannons?

No

Mustang IA = P-51:





Allison Engine, 20mm cannons.

A-36 = A-36:





Allison engine.  6 .50 cal. mgs.  4 in the wings.  2 in the nose under the engine.  Dive brakes.  First Mustang model with under wing shackles for bombs.

Mustang II = P-51A:





Essentially an A-36 without the dive bombing equipment and 2 .50's removed from the chin to save weight.


wrongway

[cegull]

My father in law worked on the dive brakes and oleo struts for the A36 ground support model.  He said the pilots liked to pop the dive brakes and scare the crap out of people on the ground in a low pass.

[Nemisis]

Why do only the american planes have bubble canopies?

[AWwrgwy]

Why do only the american planes have bubble canopies?

Brits had 'em first.


wrongway