Designed in 1938, what would become the P-66 first flew just seven days after the German invasion of Poland. It was a part of a concept of a series of aircraft designed to perform different roles, but keeping the same wing and fuselage structure - fighter, combat role, basic trainer, and advanced trainer. The fighter was the Model 48C, and 144 of the fighter version were ordered by Sweden in early 1940, to be known as the V-48C in Swedish service. This model had a different engine that enhanced high altitude performance along with an armament layout of four .30 caliber machineguns in the wings and a pair of .50 caliber machineguns firing through the propeller arc. However, Sweden did not receive any of the V-48C due to exporting bans put in place by the United States.
Great Britain took possession of one hundred Vanguards to use as advanced trainers. However, after trialing the Vanguard, it was decided to send these aircraft to the Republic of China. They were to be used to form a third American Volunteer Group, but after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the forming of additional groups was scratched.
The Vanguards sent to China were assembled in India in late 1942. Twelve of the P-66s were assigned to the 74th Fighter Squadron (part of the 23rd Fighter Group), but were not involved in any significant actions while equipped with the P-66. However, two Chinese squadrons utilized the Vanguard, starting in August, 1943. These Chinese Vanguards were initially received in the standard United States Army Air Corps scheme of olive drab upper surfaces and neutral gray undersurfaces, but the olive drab was soon covered by Chinese olive green and given Chinese insignia.
The Chinese P-66 was involved in at least two combats. The first, taking place on August 23, 1943, saw twenty-nine Chinese fighters (ten P-40s, eight P-43s, and eleven P-66s) scrambling to intercept a Japanese attack Chungking. The Japanese forces consisted of thirty-one Oscars and twenty-one Sallys. The bombers ranged in at 23,000 feet, but some the Chinese fighters (mostly the P-43 Lancers), having sufficient warning, had climbed above the Japanese formation and was able to attack the bombers with a height advantage. One Sally was shot down and several others were damaged, however the Chinese lost a pair of P-66s, one P-40, and one P-43, due to the Oscars' intervention.
On November 21, Enshi airfield was attacked, and three P-40s, one P-43, and four P-66s rose to defend the airfield. While one Japanese fighter was shot down and three others were listed as probables, three P-66 pilots were lost in this action.
I have cobbled together some speculative Check Your 6! ratings for the P-66:
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