it was no match for the agile Japanese fighters in high-g maneuvers and relied on hit-and-run tactics against the Japanese. The P-66 in Chinese service was largely replaced by Curtiss P-40s in 1943. A number of surviving P-66 Vanguards were placed in caves for storage at Chungking for use in the upcoming civil war against Mao's Communists. As late as 1947, many were reportedly still in their crates. Operators Chinese Nationalist Air Force 3rd Group 5th Group Royal Air Force, not used, aircraft originally ordered by Sweden, aircraft were delivered to China. United States Army Air Forces Specifications (P-66) See also References Notes Bibliography Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Four: Fighters. London: MacDonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., Sixth impression, 1969, First edition 1961. . Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. WW2 Aircraft Fact Files: US Army Air Force Fighters, Part 2. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1978. . Mondey, David. The Hamlyn Concise Guide to American Aircraft of World War II. London: Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd., 1982 (republished 1996 by the Chancellor Press, reprinted 2002). . Thompson, Jonathan. Vultee Aircraft 1932–1947. Santa Ana, Calif.: Narkiewicz/Thompson, 1992. . External links P-66 USAF Museum: P-66 Vanguard Vultee P-66 Low-wing aircraft Vultee aircraft Vultee P-66 Single-engined tractor aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1939