The Aviation Show The A-36 (Not An Apache) Story with Matthew Willis
Feb 12, 2026
Matthew Willis, author and Allison-Mustang historian, tells the tangled story of the A-36 dive-bomber and its true name. He traces British origins, design choices like the laminar wing and Allison engine strengths, how the A-36 served in the Mediterranean and CBI, and why production and deployment shifted. Short, myth-busting, and full of aviation detail.
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Dutch Turned A Mustang Into A Dive Bomber Fast
- The A-36 began as a minimal, fast modification of the Mustang: add dive brakes and wing hardpoints while keeping the strong Mustang airframe largely unchanged.
- Dutch Kindelberger pushed a quick, low-design-work solution so production could start without disrupting B-25 lines.
A-36 Bridged Fighter And Dive Bomber Roles
- The A-36 sits between two aircraft types: single-seat fighter-bomber and classic dive bomber, because it retained fighter performance but added dive brakes.
- Its slatted dive brakes fold above and below the wing to provide drag specifically for steep dives.
Keep Modifications Minimal To Speed Aircraft Conversion
- When converting fighters into dive-capable planes, keep modifications minimal and rely on an already-strong airframe to speed development.
- North American used the Mustang's robust, somewhat over-engineered structure to avoid heavy reinforcements.
