#a-36 apache

North American A-36A Mustang Also nicknamed the "Apache” or “Invader," the A-36A dive bomber was the first US Army Air Forces version of the Mustang, officially developed for Britain in 1940. The first A-36 flew in September 1942, and North American Aviation completed production of 500 A-36As in March 1943.

©Doug Fisher

”Warbird Salute

The North American A-36 Apache was the ground-attack/dive bomber version of the North American P-51 Mustang, from which it could be distinguished by the presence of rectangular, slatted dive brakes above and below the wings. A total of 500 A-36 dive bombers served in the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia theaters during World War II before being withdrawn from operational use in 1944.

Baby Carmen, Oshkosh 2012.

Suspension 500-pound bomb on a dive a-36 Apache.

Photographe : RAF official photographer

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