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The A-36 Apache, sister of the P-51


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Part of the problem with the A-36/P-51 was that Gen. Hap Arnold didn't want it as it "wasn't invented here", it was designed for the British. The Brits decided that the Allison-powered Apache needed more power, and experimented with putting the Merlin engine in the airframe. The results were astounding! When USAAF Eighth Air Force began losing hundreds of bombers because the P-47's couldn't stay with the bombers on longrange missions, that Arnold finally acknowledged the need for the P-51. Rolls-Royce licensed Packard to produce the Merlin in the U.S. Other changes included putting in the bubble canopy, which became the P-51D shown in the introduction.

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