This month, we view an interesting selection of military aircraft from the late 1930s through the Second World War

Air Classics, Jan 2002 by O'Leary, Michael

Once America entered World War Two, many late 1930s military aircraft that could not be used for operational duty became base hacks or were transferred to schools for aviation mechanics. One such example was Seversky P-35 USAAC s/n 36-357 which was photographed at a USAAF training school (an early model P40 and further P-35s are in the background). It is interesting to note that the stubby fighter had received a coating of Olive Drab and Neutral Gray camouflage before being withdrawn from further use. Legend under the canopy reads "CLASS 26, NOT TO BE FLOWN."

The powerful Bristol Beaufighter operated in numerous roles with the Royal Air Force during World War Two and this did not go unnoticed by the USAAF. As an example of Reverse Lend-Lease, the USAAF received enough Beaufighters to equip the 414th, 415th, 416th, and 417th Night Fighter Squadrons of the 12th Air Force which operated in the Middle East starting in June 1943 and serving until the end of the war in Europe.

The Douglas A-20 Havoc was the most produced "attack" category aircraft for the USAAF during WWII. Originally developed for foreign customers, production was well advanced by the time the Army placed orders during July 1939 for 206 A-201A-20A aircraft. Both these types were variations of the French DB-7. The first USAAF operational variant was the A-20A and 143 were eventually built including RA-20A s/n 40-150 of the 8th Bomb Squadron which is illustrated.

Even though the Navy decided to standardize on the Douglas Skyraider, Martin would go on to deliver a total of 151 AM-1 Maulers powered by the mighty Pratt & Whitney R-4360-4 radial of 3000-hp. First flying on 15 January 1945, orders called for 750 examples but this was drastically cut when the Skyraider gained favor. Mauler BuNo 22297 in full Dallas Naval Air Reserve markings was photographed at the Martin factory in Maryland. The Mauler carried four 20mm cannon and was fitted with 15 pylons under the wings and fuselage.

Thoroughly obsolete, the Noorduyn Norseman was a rugged workhorse that served the USAAF well. The USAAF obtained 746 C-64As from the Canadian factory which were operated on wheels, floats, and skis. Some actually served into the early 1950s and s/n 44-70370, fitted out as a hospital craft, was seen on I January 1946 at Mitchel Field, New York. (Jim Hawkins)

The Martin & 10 was the first "modem" bomber for the Air Corps. Of all-metal construction with retractable landing gear, enclosed gun positions, internal bomb stowage and having a relatively high speed, the craft was capable of outrunning contemporary fighters. Photographed at March Field, California, during 1937, is the sole XB-14 which was a standard B-10 fitted with YR-1830-9 Twin Wasps of 950-hp each. AC