11-23-2023, 02:52 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: ABQ, New Mexico
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One of the more interesting facts about the P-51 Mustang is that, while designed to be a fighter, it also saw action during WWII as a dive-bomber. Designed the A-36 Invader, this variant of the aircraft saw considerable action in the Mediterranean Theater, Italy and the China-Burma Theater.
While many have said the A-36 was a rather poor dive-bomber, this couldn't be further from the truth. Its Allison engine afforded it the ability to make quiet approaches, and its steady handling meant its pilots were among the most accurate when it came to the task of actually dropping ordnance on enemy targets.
That being said, the A-36 was never able to match the P-51, and it only saw service for a short time, between 1943-44.
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