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North American A-36 Mustang

1943 WORLD WAR 2

History of the North American A-36 Mustang

The North American A-36 is a dedicated ground attack/dive bomber variant of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) classic North American P-51 Mustang single-seat single-engine fighter. The original Mustang was developed to British specification, but the series found its greatest success in the hands of American pilots who toured the European and Pacific theaters. Development began in 1940, and the A-36 evolved from the original plan and flew for the first time as a prototype in October 1942.

Their design is credited to Edgar Schmued.

The A-36A was the only production brand for this Mustang variant and appeared with the 27th, 86th and 311th (Indian) fighter-bombers (Bomber Group (Dive)). The first combat action took place on the Mediterranean island of Pantelleria in June 1943.

The aircraft was tasked with dropping conventional bombs at enemy targets through dive and climb maneuvers, and also served as Allied bomber escort and general ground attack components.

Externally, the A-36 retains much of the shape of previous production Mustangs, with a heavy top frame and a back vertebra limiting rear visibility. The straight main aircraft is mounted low along the front of the fuselage, while the empennage has a vertical tail with a low horizontal plane.

Power comes from an Allison V-1710 inline piston engine that produces 1,325 horsepower and drives a three-blade propeller unit on the nose. The landing gear is in a traditional "trailer" configuration with a tail wheel and two main gear legs, the latter set towards the centerline of the fuselage.

Standard armament consists of the traditional P-51 arrangement: 6 x .50 caliber air-cooled Browning heavy machine guns - two in the upper fuselage (the nose) and the remaining four in the wings (two per wing). Carry up to 1,000 lbs of conventional drop-down shops (external mount).

Allison engine power allows a top speed of 365 mph and a cruising speed of about 250 mph. A range of 550 miles is possible, and the aircraft can reach a service ceiling of 25,100 feet. Since its primary role is to attack, this limit cap is acceptable.

A total of 500 A-36As were built to absorb losses and fill required roles. Their service time was short-lived, however, as by 1944 the series had been replaced by the more powerful Republic P-47 Thunderbolts and North American P-51 Mustangs, now equipped with bomb carriers and missile launch tracks.

These aircraft are not only capable of close support bombing raids, while still maintaining their inherent superior high-altitude performance as fighter jets. Thus, as the war progressed, the A-36's role and range gradually diminished.

Production of the A-36 ended in March 1943. Despite its limited use, the aircraft was popular, recording 84 enemy air kills in addition to its bombing capabilities. In March 1943, the Royal Air Force (RAF) received a prototype aircraft for testing and evaluation.

Only a handful of A-36s survive today as museum exhibits.

The A-36 was informally referred to as "Apache" and "Invader" at various points in its wartime career.