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Home > Fact Sheets > North American A-36A
NORTH AMERICAN A-36A
The A-36A dive bomber was the first AAF version of the Mustang developed for Britain in 1940. The A-36 first flew in October 1942. Production of 500 A-36As was completed by March 1943.
Unofficially named "Invaders," A-36As were assigned to the 27th and 86th Bombardment Groups (Dive), later re-designated 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. 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.
The A-36A was powered by an Allison V-1710 like the early versions of the P-51 (P-51A and RAF Mustang I) and had a three blade propeller. The small air intake on the top forward fuselage just behind the propeller is a distinguishing feature of all Allison-powered Apaches and Mustangs. The famous Packard-built Rolls Royce V-1650 Merlin engine was introduced beginning with the P-51B but was never used on the A-36A. The A-36A can be distinguished from a P-51A by noting the dive brakes on the Apache.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force has an A-36A on display in its Air Power Gallery.
| Type |
Number built/
converted |
Remarks |
| A-36A |
500 |
Ground Attack version of P-51 |
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: Six .50-cal. machine guns, 1,000 lbs. of bombs externally
Engine: Allison V-1710 of 1,325 hp
Maximum speed: 365 mph
Cruising speed: 250 mph
Range: 550 miles
Service ceiling: 25,100 ft.
Span: 37 ft.
Length: 32 ft. 3 in.
Height: 12 ft. 2 in.
Weight: 10,000 lbs. loaded
Serial numbers: 42-83663 to 42-84162
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