Pilots of North American A-36 Apaches

Pilots of North American A-36 'Apaches' (dive-bomber version of the P-51) return from a gunnery training mission in Louisiana, 1943. This aircraft - listed in some sources as "Apache" or "Invader", but generally called Mustang - was the ground-attack/dive bomber version of the North American P-51 Mustang, from which it could be distinguished by the presence of rectangular, slatted dive brakes above and below the wings. A total of 500 A-36 dive bombers served in the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia theaters during World War II before being withdrawn from operational use in 1944. The A-36 project was a stopgap measure intended to keep North American Aviation (NAA) assembly lines running during the first half of 1942 despite the US having exhausted its funds earmarked for fighter aircraft. When the order came for more P-51s in June 1942, the NAA workforce was thoroughly experienced.

Source :
National Archives and Records Administration, 342-C-K-1039
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_A-36
https://www.flickr.com/photos/airandspace/albums/72157715574200936