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FD Aircraft 20
http://shipbucket.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=10733		 Page 16 of 46
Author:  Sheepster [ May 2nd, 2023, 10:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: FD Aircraft 20
North American P-64

The last single seat fighter model of the "Texan/Harvard family".

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Continuing development from the NA-50 supplied to Peru, North American kept the basic fuselage but added the T-6 tailplane, changed the wing from swept-back to a more tapered shape, beefed up the engine, and of course added more guns including on an underwing pod to create the NA-68. In 1940 Thailand placed an order for 6 aircraft with the first test flight happening in September 1940. At the same time the Thais also ordered 10 NA-69 two seat light bombers also of the Harvard family.
Politics intervened before the aircraft could be delivered, as the US became concerned with the Thais becoming too close to Japan, and both aircraft orders were impounded and transfered to the USAAC. The NA-68's were impressed as P-64's, but with the very small production run there was not much that could be done with the aircraft, and so they were disarmed and sent to the main USAAC training facility at Santa Ana where they were used as fighter trainers.
One P-64 still survives, and was flown by Paul Poberezny for air displays, and was eventually retired to the EAA museum.
Author:  eswube [ May 2nd, 2023, 6:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: FD Aircraft 20
Nice work!
Author:  The_Sprinklez [ May 3rd, 2023, 3:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: FD Aircraft 20
USA, Rockwell Commander 112A and 112TC


USA, 1976 Rockwell Commander 112TC N481DS, Civil Air Patrol

IMAGES REMOVED PENDING CORRECTIONS
Author:  Sheepster [ May 3rd, 2023, 5:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: FD Aircraft 20
North American NA-68 in Thai colours

Thailand was the only customer for the upgraded NA-68 fighter.

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Siam started replacing their French aircraft for new US equipment in the late 1930's, and included North American's latest fighter and light bomber versions of the Texan/Harvard. However as Siam transitioned to become Thailand and adopted a more nationistic stance the US became wary about supplying them with military equipment. The first NA-68 was test flown on 1 September 1940, but shortly after the US embargoed the sale and impressed the aircraft into US service.
So although painted in Thai colours for their air tests, the aircraft never left the US or flew for Thailand and were rapidly overpainted with US roundels.
Author:  Hood [ May 6th, 2023, 9:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: FD Aircraft 20
Great additions!
Author:  darthpanda [ May 7th, 2023, 6:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: FD Aircraft 20
China - Douglas C-54 Skymaster
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Author:  darthpanda [ May 8th, 2023, 9:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: FD Aircraft 20
China - Fairchild PT-19A
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Author:  darthpanda [ May 9th, 2023, 6:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: FD Aircraft 20
China - Ryan PT-22
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Author:  darthpanda [ May 10th, 2023, 7:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: FD Aircraft 20
China - de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
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Author:  eswube [ May 10th, 2023, 4:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: FD Aircraft 20
Excellent drawings!
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