Need aircraft identification

[Spitlead]

I thought originally this was a P-43 Lancer but it appears not. It's not a P-35 or P-36. I am at a loss. Can't quite put my finger on it. Older photo taken at Planes of Fame in Chino, CA - mid-1980s.

 

[Hardlydank]

Looks to me like a North American P-64/NA-50

 

[Spitlead]

Looks to me like a North American P-64/NA-50
View attachment 574648

Thanks! I had looked at the P-64 but had ruled it out in my mind for some reason.

 

[Graeme]

Pretty sure "74" is a North American T-6 Texan made to look like a P-64. It still retains the second seat. The T-6 must be the chameleon airframe for many types...

 

[Hardlydank]

good work on finding that .
Conspiracy theory: all single radials are just a modified T-6. Prove me wrong

 

[Snautzer01]

We must make a thread about this one in its many forms.

 

[Graeme]

Appears I'm wrong. Nothing unusual there.
It would seem based on this site both machines above are desperately trying to be North American NA-50 fighters.
No.74 is a Harvard Mk.IV (N98474) and No.38 is an "unspecified T-6" (N25NA) - but the tail looks like a Harvard?

North American P-64 | Aircraft in Focus

NA-50...

 

[Hardlydank]

Hmm... the plot thickens

 

[Spitlead]

The P-64 has an air scoop on the top of the engine cowl and different landing gear doors.

 

[mjfur]

The photos in Post #1 and #2 are indeed AT-6/SNJ/Harvards that have been modified to resemble the P-64/NA-50.

The closest we have to an original P-64 is at the EAA Museum.
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North American P-64 - Wikipedia

 

[Mike Flanagan]

Thanks! I had looked at the P-64 but had ruled it out in my mind for some reason.

 

[Mike Flanagan]

Ever have a chance to visit Oshkosh during the convention in the 60/70/80's you would have seen this

 

[Spitlead]

I actually was at Oshkosh in the 80's, can't recall exactly when. There was so many airplanes, I do not remember that one.

 

[MiTasol]

Pretty sure "74" is a North American T-6 Texan made to look like a P-64. It still retains the second seat. The T-6 must be the chameleon airframe for many types...

View attachment 574660

And the engine is too small for the P-64

 

[GreenKnight121]

There are differences between the NA-50 (7 purchased by, and entered service with, Peru) and the P-64 (NA-68, 6 ordered by Thailand, but appropriated by the USAAF before delivery).

Side view comparison:


NA-50:


NA-68 (P-64):