The A-36 (Not An Apache) Story with Matthew Willis
The Aviation Show
USAAF Orders, P-51 Designations and Overlaps
Willis unpacks designation confusion as USAAF, RAF and Lend-Lease orders overlapped during 1942.
The North American Aviation A-36 was a dive-bombing development of the Mustang I that had been specified by the British during the Second World War. The dive-bomber was ordered by the US Army Air Force to supplement their attack aircraft and saw service in the Mediterranean and the China-Burma-India theatres. But the A-36's story is overshadowed by its fighter sister, and matters get even more complicated when it comes to the aircraft's name, which it never officially had.
Author and historian Matthew Willis returns to The Aviation Show to discuss the development and service of the A-36 and champion the Allison-engined Mustangs, which were pretty ace.
To enter our giveaway for a personalised copy of Matthew Willis' Mustang: The Untold Story, send an email to MUSTANG@THEAVIATION.SHOW with the subject line 'Not An Apache' to be considered in the draw. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on Thursday, 26th February 2026. The winner will be notified by email. If no response is received within 72 hours, the draw will be remade, and the new winner announced. There is no monetary alternative to the prize of one hardback copy of 'Mustang: The Untold Story'.
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