North American A-36 Apache
History
A-36 Apache (Invader, but also called Mustang) was the ground-attack and dive bomber version of the North American P-51 Mustang. Development began in June, 1942 and the first model flew in September of that year. Apache was fitted with the hydraulically-operated dive-brakes and a rack under each wing to carry either a bomb or a droppable fuel tank. The Apache went into service with the USAAF in the MTO just prior to the invasion of Sicily. Production was completed in March, 1943.
Power plant: 1 x 1323 hp Allison V-1710-87 12-cylinder V12 liquid-cooled engine driving a Hamilton Standard three-bladed constant-speed propeller.
Armament: 6 x 12,7 mm machine guns, two synchronized to fire through the nose and four in the wings, and up to 454 kg (1000 lbs.) of bombs carried on wing racks.
Total produced: 500 (delivered from October 1942 to March 1943)
Serial numbers of A-36: 42-83663 – 42-84162.
RAF serial number: EW998
Specifications
crew | 1 |
wingspan (m) | 11,28 |
lenght (m) | 9,83 |
height (m) | 3,70 |
wing area (m2) | 21,67 |
wheel base (mm) | |
empty weight (kg) | 2767 |
gross weight (kg) | 3280 |
normal take-off weight (kg) | 4550 |
max take-off weight (kg) | 4853 |
wing loading (kg/m²) | |
engine | V-1710-87, 1340 hp at 988 m |
propeller | Curtiss 3-bladed, 3,28 m |
fuel consumption (l/h) | |
fuel (l) | 681 + 2×284 |
engine oil (l) | |
max speed (km/h) | 589 at 4200 m, 392 at 4200 m with bombs |
cruising speed (km/h) | 502 |
diving speed (km/h) | |
landing speed (km/h) | |
ceiling (m) | 7650 |
range (km) | 1750 – 2575 |
rate of climb | 8,4 m/s |
take-off roll (m) | |
landing roll (m) | |
bombs (kg) | 454 + 6 x M8 4.5-inch (110 mm) rockets |
armament | 6×12,7 mm |
Bibliography and sources
- Malcolm V Lowe: The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang a comprehensive guide – Part 1 Allison Powered
- North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, Production Line To Frontline 01 – Michael O’Leary, Osprey Aviation 1998
- Mustang, A documentary history – Jeffrey Ethell 1981
- Mustang at war – Roger A. Freeman, Ian Allan Ltd 1974
- E.R. Johnson: American Attack Aircraft Since 1926, Mcfarland
- North American P-51 Mustang – Frederick A. Johansen, WarbirdTech Series Volume 5 Speciality Press
- North American P-51 Mustang – Edward T. Maloney and Uwe Feist, Aero Series 15 1981
- North American P-51 Mustang – Crowood Aviation Series 2009, Malcolm V. Lowe
- North American P-51 Mustang 1 Monografie Lotnicze 55 (polish) – Jacek B. Zurek, AJ-Press 1999
- North American P-51 Mustang F-82 Twin Mustang 2 Monografie Lotnicze 56 (polish) – Zbigniew Kolacha and Jacek B. Zurek, AJ-Press 2000
- North American P-51 Mustang F-82 Twin Mustang 3 Monografie Lotnicze 57 (polish) – Jacek B. Zurek and Piotr Wisniewski, AJ-Press 2003
- P-51 Mustang – Larry Davis, Squadron/Signal Publications 1995
- P-51 Mustang in Color – Fighting Colours – Larry Davies, Squadron Signal Publications 6505 1982
- North American P-51 Mustang – Rodrigo Hernandez Cabos and Geoff Coughlin, Osprey Modelling Manuals 19, 2002
- North American P-51 & F-6 Mustang U.S.A.A.F., E.T.O. & M.T.O. 1942-1945 – Camouflage and Markings 16, 1971
- P-51 Mustang in action 45 – Squadron/Signal Publications 45
- P-51 Mustang in detail & scale vol 50, Part 1 Prototype through P-51C – Bert Kinzey 1996
- P-51 Mustang in detail & scale vol 51, Part 2 P-51D through F-82H – Bert Kinzey
- Allison Engine Mustangs, Walk Around 13 – Glen Phillips Squadron/Signal Publications
- P-51 Mustang – Jeffrey L. Ethell, Warbirds Fotofax
- P-51 Mustang – Jarrod Cotter, Aviation Classics 2, 2010
- The P-51 Mustang – Len Morgan, Famous Aircraft Series 1963
- Jane’s Fighting Aircraft of World War II