Ack, You quote me with my own source~I never said they were synonymous, rather specifically that the 74th,75th and 76th were components of the AVG that later transitioned into the USAAF specifically the 23rd FG. My point being that US pilots in those FGs did use them with some success in combat. The author of the article also maintains, that the US could have benefited by utilizing additional P-43s with their superior performance to overcome the shortcomings of the P-40. The CAF regularly flew them in flights of 10 plus aircraft with P-66s and P-40s, which with the very low number employed in that arena was significant. I concur with the author in his positive below assessment.
"The data assembled in this study suggests the P-43 might have been highly successful if used more extensively. It demonstrated ability to effect interceptions when P-40s could not and to shoot down Japanese high altitude reconnaissance planes. It had good range capability and could fly both bomber escort and reconnaissance missions. Its high altitude performance made it a good complement to the P-40 on escort missions...A squadron of P-43s at Port Moresby in 1942 might have saved many American fighter pilots by giving top cover to the Allison powered fighters. There is also little doubt Chennault could have usefully employed more than the ten fighters he was granted."
