m10bob
Posts: 8622
Joined: 11/3/2002 From: Dismal Seepage Indiana Status: offline
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Hello..When the North American A 36 was released, it was described as a dive bomber by the USAAF..It and the P-51A were built at the same time, but both purpose built for different functions. The A36A and P51A both had the Allison engine, but the A36 was a dive bomber,the P51A a fighter-bomber. The A36A even had dive brakes, both over and underwing. The A36A carried 6x.50 MG's(as in game) while the P51A carried only 4x.50MG's(as in game. Other than the MG's, the only really noticeable thing about the two in appearance, was the P51A had the Allison V-1710-81 engine. 50 of the P51A's ordered were acquired by the RAF as the Mustang II 35 others were converted to F6B recon planes. If this area of the forum is meant for questions only, I am asking why this is not reflected in the game?(Both are listed purely as "fighters".) Source:Combat Aircraft Of The World by John W.R.Taylor..ISBN 0-339-50471-0 This is on site of the USAF: Unofficially named the "Invader," the A-36A Apache dive bomber was the first U.S. Army Air Forces version of the Mustang (the Mustang was officially developed for Britain in 1940). The first A-36 flew in September 1942, and North American completed production of 500 A-36As in March 1943. Assigned to the 27th and 86th Bombardment Groups (Dive), the A-36A first saw action against the the island of Pantelleria in June 1943. 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 bomb rack equipped P-51s and P-47s replaced the A-36A when experience showed that these high-altitude fighters were more suitable for low-level missions than the A-36As. 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 Ceiling: 25,100 ft. Span: 37 ft. Length: 32 ft. 3 in. Height: 12 ft. 2 in. Weight: 10,000 lbs. loaded Serial number: 42-83665
< Message edited by m10bob -- 4/18/2015 8:40:01 PM >
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