A-36A Apache-Invader

The A-36A was the USAAF response to testing of the North American Mustang I, built exclusively for the RAF in 1941 and 1942. Since the Mustang did not have good high altitude performance, the RAF used it for ground attack and reconnaissance.

The USAAF belatedly tested their examples and found it performed spectacularly at low levels so they focused on its use as a reconnaissance fighter designated P-51A/F-6A. During 1942 the USAAF wanted a dive bomber in response to the successes demonstrated by the Luftwaffes Stuka. The P-51s impressive performance at low levels prompted the USAAF to look toward that aircraft. By late 1943 three groups were operating the A-36A, the 27th and 86th Bombardment Groups (Dive) in Tunisia, Sicily & Italy and the 311th Fighter Bomber Group in India. 500 A-36A Apache aircraft were built by North American Aviation from October 1942 to March 1943.

A-36As did not see very much air-to-air combat, since it was optimized for low-altitude operations and lost its effectiveness above 10,000 feet altitude. It was generally believed that the A-36A Invader was no match for the Messerschmitt Bf 109 at high altitudes, and that it was therefore best for A-36A pilots to avoid such encounters if at all possible. If air-to-air combat was unavoidable, it was thought best to force the battle down to altitudes below 8000 feet, where maximum advantage could be taken of the A-36A's excellent low-altitude performance. Although it was not a fighter, the Invader claimed 101 enemy aircraft destroyed in air-to-air combat. One of the pilots of the 27th Fighter Bomber Group, Lt Michael T. Russo, became the only ace in the Allison-engined Mustang, although several of his A-36A colleagues scored victories as well.

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