<p>Under the company designation NA-44, North American developed a light attack version of its classic BC-1/AT-6 advanced trainer design. This prototype was powered by a 785-hp Wright R-1820-F52 Cyclone engine and was of stressed-skin construction throughout. Forward-firing armament comprised two machine guns in the cowling and one in each wing, while provision was made for a gun firing aft from the rear cockpit. Up to 400 lb of bombs could be carried.
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<p>An order for 10 attack aircraft came from Siam, and these were built under the company designation NA-69. At the outbreak of hostilities with Japan, these aircraft were requisitioned by the USAAF and hurriedly put into combat in the Philippines. The designation A-27 was applied, with the serials 41-18890/41-18899.