Attack Aircraft North American

Created on the basis of the VS-1A training aircraft, its assault version with a new Wright R-1820-F52 engine (775 hp) and armament from two fuselage 7.7-mm Browning machine guns and four 100-lb (454-kg) bombs on holders under the wing, received the designation NA-44 and made its first flight in 1938. In 1940, this aircraft was sold to Canada, and its modifications were launched into mass production.

In October 1940, we signed a contract with representatives of the Brazilian Air Force. A total of 13 NA-72 attack aircraft were delivered, which remained in service until the mid-1950s.

Thailand ordered not only a batch of NA-69 attack aircraft, but also NA-50 fighters, created on the basis of the same VS-1. Negotiations for the delivery of ten NA-69s began in November 1939, and in September of the following year, all ordered aircraft were loaded onto a ship and sent to the shores of Southeast Asia. While they were on the way, the American government managed to impose a ban on the supply of military equipment to potential allies of Japan. As a result, the NA-69s were redirected to the Philippines, where they were given a new designation A-27 and serial numbers from 41-18890 to 41-18899. For about a year they were used as part of the 17th Fighter Squadron at Nicholas Field to train flight personnel, where they died under Japanese bombs on December 7, 1941.

At least two attack aircraft from this party managed to transfer to the Air Force of the Dutch East Indies. Nothing is known about their use, but apparently the A-27s also served as training aircraft.

Photo	Description
	Drawing A-27

Bibliography

• "Encyclopedia of military engineering" /Aerospace Publising/
• "American warplanes of World War II" /under cor. David Donald/