P72025 A-36 APACHE USAF

The North American A-36 Apache was an American low-wing fighter aircraft from the Second World War. The prototype flight took place in September 1942. Serial production was carried out in 1942-1943. In its course, 500 aircraft of this type were created. The drive was provided by a single Allison V-1710-87 engine with 1325 hp. The deck armament - in the A-36A version - consisted of six Browning M2 12.7 mm machine guns. The machine could also carry a load of bombs weighing up to 454 kilograms. The A-36 Apache was created as a far-reaching modification of the P-51 Mustang. The new machine, unlike its predecessor, was to play the role of an assault machine, adapted to attack targets from a diving flight. The main design changes concerned the strengthening of the structure, the addition of more extensive air brakes and bomb hooks. A completely new power unit was also used in relation to the first P-51 Mustang models. The A-36 Apache aircraft were used in combat by the USAAF in North Africa, the Mediterranean, Burma and China. From mid-1944, aircraft of this type began to be replaced by the P-47 Thunderbolt machines.