Vultee P-66 Vanguard

First flying on 8 September 1939 as the Vultee Model V-48, the P-66 was originally ordered by Sweden, but an arms embargo diverted them to the United States Army Air Forces.

The initial prototype had an aerodynamic pointed spinner, however after being damaged in a landing accident it was rebuilt with a conventional spinner. This was subsequently used on all future production aircraft.

Sweden ordered 144 V-48C fighters, the a US arms embargo resulted in none being delivered. The USAAF took possession of around 50 aircraft which were used as advanced fighter trainers. With a tendency to ground loop, 25 were lost in accidents.

Britain acquired 100 P-66 Vanguard Mk.I fighters, intending to used them as advanced trainers in Canada. However after evaluation they were passed on the China.

Around 104 P-66s were sent to China from British and US stocks. Aircraft were assembled in Karachi and then flown to China. Several were lost on their delivery flight and others deemed unairworthy abandoned in India.

Outclassed by Japanese fighters they were largely replaced by Curtiss P-40s in 1943.