Warbird Information Exchange

I have been asked to help suggest possible paint scheme ideas for an A-36 that is undergoing rebuild. The owners are looking for the markings of a combat veteran aircraft. They know of Michael Russo's "Pat" and are lookig at other possible schemes. I have found little in the way of color photos, which is understandable. I have found a few color profiles and some good looking plastic model representations.
Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
Gary

I would suggest the A-36 picture on page 15 of the P-51 in Action book. The 27th FBG had an incredible history of mud moving, and the second aircrafteventually had bomb missions running all the way down the side....Awesome

Perhaps the most interesting thing would be to try and weather the plane, and make it look "combat". The USAFM one is very smart, but doesn't remind of of planes "on ops".

86th FBG A-36s looked cool with the white tail stripe and yellow wing bands along with 100+ bomb missions markers under the stacks

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

86th FBG

A-36A 86th FBG "Little Sue" s/n 42-83885 Tunisia March 1943 badly damaged in action Jul 26, 1943


#2 a little closer

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

Gary,

Does this A-36, that you speak of have it's own combat history? With such a limited production I would have thought most surviving Apaches would of had in theatre combat experience.

Here is the NMUSAF's A-36 Serial #: 42-83665

-A-36A flown by Capt. Lawrence Dye, 522nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy.










Another option:

Donald "Button" Smith's A-36A-1-NA "Herschel IV" Tafaraoui, Algeria, in June, 1943






Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

how come these aren't often refered to as "razorbacks"?

_________________
Charles Neely

because there not Mustangs

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

Ah, Jack,

but they are. "invader" never official but WWII pilots ARE reported having used that name and also MUSTANG.

_________________
Charles Neely

Ah, Jack,

but they are. "invader" never official but WWII pilots ARE reported having used that name and also MUSTANG at A-36 ops level.

_________________
Charles Neely

Vis, within company of folks who are discussing Mustangs the A-36A IS one of
the "razorback"(or hardback, highback, or..) models of the P-51(A,B,C) . As you know, the A-36 design
in of itself is unique to any other Mustang...it's wing structure of course is the major
difference to any of the others. For immediate recognition in conversation you
use the words A-36 or Apache/Invader, then that person knows what you're referring to.
In reading from the period over the years the A-36 is generically spoken of as a Mustang.

I'm of course avoiding the "razorback" and "jug" argument....hee..hee..hee
I'll save that one for "earshot experts" at museums and airshows..

EDIT:
..and in my earliest days of Mustang discovery, I recall the A-36 as Apache. I'll have to dig up my old IPMS Quarterly from about 1966 or so
to see what the terminology was like then..

_________________
He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

North American refers to it as the A-36A Mustang in their factory books.

If you can get a hold of a copy of "Straight Down" by Peter C. Smith It has a lot of good b/w photos of many different A-36's. Typical A-36's were not very "colorful" and didn't have much in the way of nose art. Probably the most colorful of the bunch were the few that the RAF had.

If you were taking a poll, I would vote for Capt. Russo's A-36 as he was not only the FIRST Mustang Ace, but also the only person to become an Ace flying the A-36.

Everybody wants the aces. I always go with the ordinary Joe's

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

airnutz,

Please know I'm not trying to root out the term "razorback" from , as you say "within the company of folks who are discussing Mustangs..."

I am trying to get it put into it's proper historical context. It is either historically accurate for the WWII era or it isn't.

To continue your statement, ..."the A-36 IS [your emphasis] one of the "razorback" (or hardback, highback or..) models...

That is specifically what am contesting. In my limited membership among the group you aluded to, I have observed that these earlier types have not had the term applied until more recent times, at least to the extent that the P-51B/C has. Of course your experience may differ from mine.

You further stated that you are avoiding the "razorback and jug argument", but I must repectfully point out you most certainly did not by using the emphasized word IS, in your statement above.

Now as we have seen, SOME people do use the term, but not all. I'm merely trying to get it nailed down as to what is historically correct.

Surely there must be SOME sort of documentary evidence that it was used in referencet by war time pilots, ground crew, or even the folks on the home front?

This is not a new quest for me. I've been actively reserching Mustang history since about the time of your mentioned IPMS article. I've owned all the Mustang parts and assembly drawings since 1977. I have nearly all the manuals that pertain. I have a large collection of published works (sadly most are incredibly innaccurate). I mention this not to bolster my on line image or to come off as an expert (I MOST CERTAINLY am not). It is to convey my longterm interest and current understanding of the HISTORY surrounding the aircraft, and to promote an accurate retelling of that history as is possible.

Thanks for your input.

PS. without stirring the pot too much on another popular term, have you ever tried finding an official reference to the Mustang's famous "Merlin" engine? You might be facinated by the results. Should we use it? I think so...but then I've been known to be wrong, on occasion(s).

_________________
Charles Neely

It would be interesting to hear an A-36 with the dive breaks out screaming towards the ground. Will any of them ever fly again?