Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?
1. This aircraft served the armed forces of three countries.
2. And none of them were the country of origin.
3. It served with more than one service in one of those countries.
4. It.was considered to be fast for its day.
5. And quite maneuverable.
6. It was considered to be a fairly typical aircraft of its type.
7. And was considered to have a fairly narrow fuselage.
8. Which wasn’t that uncommon for aircraft of its type and time.
9. It wasn’t put into service in its home country, because contracts were issued to a competitor.
10. But it aroused considerable interest from foreign services.
11. Several hundred were produced.
12. The first batch were purchased by a foreign country and fitted with engines other than those used in the prototype aircraft.
13. And different machine guns were used.
14. But all subsequent aircraft, built for other countries, used the engines in the prototypes.
15. Although different machine guns were used.
16. Six machine guns were used in all versions of our subject aircraft.
17. The second batch were ordered by the same country, but only part of them were ever shipped.
18. Several hundred were eventually produced.
19. When it was first used in combat, it quickly gained a good reputation.
20. It was used in a variety of roles.
21. And did well in all of them.
22. Uses included bomber, reconnaissance, ground attack and target towing.
23. And at least one pilot gained ace status flying our subject aircraft.
24. And our subject airplane made valuable, and well noted, contributions to famous battles and campaigns.
25. It was a low wing monoplane.
26. Twin engine.
27. With a crew of three.
28. Four of the six machine guns were controlled by the pilot.
29. And used for strafing enemy targets.
30. And shooting down enemy aircraft.
31. The other two provided defense from enemy fighters.