"William R Thompson" skrev i en meddelelse
ink.net...
"Scubabix" wrote:

This is probably a stupid question, what's the difference between an A-36
and a P-51A?


Design and development
After the RAF saw the Mustang's less than spectacular performance, with the
Allison engine, they decided not to order any P-51As, which they called the
"Mustang Mk1." As the USAAC considered the use of the P-51A, they realized
that its low-altitude performance, ruggedness and speed were more than
sufficient in a ground attack/support role. They changed the designation and
gave the P-51A a new one, the A-36 Apache. The name "Apache" was seldom used
and the A-36s used by the USAAF in Italy were usually referred to as
"Mustangs."
There were several reasons for the P-51 to be modified as a dive-bomber. The
Americans were impressed by the German Ju 87 Stuka dive-bomber and wanted a
dive-bomber of their own. The other reason is that USAAF still considered
the Mustang as an ineffective high-altitude escort fighter because of poor
performance above 20,000 feet and that no credits could be obtained for it.
The Mustang was quickly modified with dive brakes and bomb racks and pressed
into service.

Operational service
Unofficially named "Invaders," A-36As were first assigned to the 27th and
86th Bombardment Groups (Dive), later redesignated as Fighter-Bomber Groups.
In June 1943, the plane went into action from North Africa. During the
Italian campaign, A-36A pilots flew bomber escort and strafing missions as
well as ground support bombing attacks and even had air-to-air kills over
Luftwaffe fighters. A-36As also served with the 311th Fighter Bomber Group
in India. In 1944, AAF A-36As were replaced by P-51s and P-47s when
experience showed that these high-altitude fighters, equipped with bomb
racks, were more suitable for low-level missions than the A-36As.
Nevertheless, the A-36 was used with great success as a dive-bomber,
acquiring a reputation for precision, sturdiness and silence. The A-36
continued in serrvice in small numbers throughout the remaining year of the
war.