name this plane (for fun)

[FOZ_1983]

Originally Posted by Panzergranate

Try this one....

Clues:

This aircraft was a stop gap fighter for the US Army in early 1942 to defend the west coast from immagined Japanese air attack.

In 1942, when P-40 production was increased they were given to the Canadians, who used them as trainers. Because of this suitability, a two seat trainer was derived from it and built by another company. This trainer was called the T-6 Texan in the US and the Harvard in the UK.

The Candians gave their aircraft, in turn, to the Chinese airforce for use with the Flying Tigers. It had reasonable success and produced at least one Ace who managed to down four Ki-21 Helen bombers in rapid succession during a raid.

Described as mediocre, in performance as a fighter, it was arme with 2 x 12.7mm. nose guns and 4 x 7.62mm. wing guns. Top speed was 340 MPH.

From the ground, this aircraft exactly resembles the Japanese Oscar fighter leading to many unfortunate AA accidents with friendly fire. It also later had a long all glass cockpit canopy the same as the trainer, though it was only a single seater.

In the film "Tora, Tora, Tora", several of these fighters were converted and rebuilt to resemble Japanese A3M Val diver bombers and Kate torpedo planes.

These aircraft were used agian for the film "Battle Of Midway" for the same purpose.

Today there are three of these film aircraft that tour the airshows in the US.

The first picture is of the original prototype with an inline engine. The second picture is with the production radual engine and improved cockpit.

So....

1 Point for the manufacturer.

1 point for the "P" number.

1 point for the service name.

This another mess up? the planes in the film "tora tora tora" were infact the T6 TEXAN, and also some BT-13 valiants.

But ones made by North American and the other by Vultee. And at no point do i recall either being used a a stop gap fighter.

This makes no sense to me.