| P-64 (NA-68) | |
|---|---|
| Role | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | North American Aviation |
| First flight | 1 September 1940 |
| Introduction | 1940 |
| Retired | Peru (1950) |
| Primary users | United States Army Air Forces Peru |
| Number built | 13 |
| Developed from | North American NA-16 |
The North American Aviation P-64 was the designation assigned by the United States Army Air Corps to six North American model NA-68 aircraft seized by the US government that were destined for Thailand when that country was invaded by Japanese forces in World War II.
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The North American NA-68 was developed by the North American Aviation as a simple single seat, low-wing, single engine fighter for export. The design was developed from the model NA-16 experimental basic training aircraft of 1935. The NA-16 evolved into a series of aircraft that were some of the most successful advanced and basic training aircraft produced by any country and was the basic design for single engine fighters for small countries that needed simple aircraft with modern features.
The NA-50A Torito, built for Peru, was a single-seat fighter design based on the two-seat NA-26 that, for the first time, incorporated retractable landing gear. The NA-50A was powered by an 870 hp (650 kW) Wright R-1820-77 radial air-cooled engine and was armed with two .30 in (7.62 mm) M1919 Browning machine guns.
Peru purchased seven aircraft for the Peruvian Air Force, with deliveries completed in May 1939. In Peruvian service, these aircraft were fitted with bomb racks under the fuselage for light bombs. The Peruvian NA-50s took part in the Ecuadorian-Peruvian war of July 1941, supporting Army of Peru ground forces.[1]
In 1940, the Royal Thai Air Force ordered six aircraft similar to the NA-50A that were designated NA-68. The changes in the NA-68 included a modified landing gear, heavier armament, and redesigned tail surfaces similar to that adopted in later production advanced trainers. These aircraft were en route to Thailand when they were seized and returned to the United States where they were then disarmed, assigned the designation P-64, and used for advanced fighter training.
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
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