Thanks for the clarification. I knew if I asked here, I'd get an answer.
Happy New Years to all.
Rob

"Blume, Alf" AlfBlume(a)hotmaildotcom wrote in message
...

"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.