The Seversky P-35, although not one of the most famous fighter aircraft, spawned not one but two series of fighter that played major roles in WWII. Seversky ultimately became Republic Aviation which made the famous P-47. But not so well know is that the P-35 was the basis for the Italian Reggiane aircraft of the same period.

Interesting but what has this to do with carrier? Well there was a carrier prototype of the P-35, the XNF-1. Basically the XNF-1 was the same plane with minor cowl and canopy modifications. The canopy was changed back to the normal version before testing. Tests we conducted at Anacostia, but the aircraft was not selected for further development.  A modified P-35 won the Bendix air race in 1939, and export versions were used by Sweden and Japan. The Japanese designated the P-35 as Navy Type S Two-Seat Fighter or A8V-1 (Allied codename “Dick”)

The P-35 also was the basis for the Italian Reggiane series of fighters. The RE-2000 was a much improved version that flew through the war. The Re 2001 OR was a carrier fighter/bomber version. It used an inline instead of the Radial engine. Yes I know the Italians never had a carrier in WWII, but after the British proved what a carrier could do at Taranto, they began construction of a carrier, and development testing of carrier aircraft. There were about a dozen RE2001OR’s produced, fitted with tail hooks and tested at an airfield outside of Rome.

So, if you ever wanted an almost P-47 for carrier here is your chance. There is a good set of plans for the P-35, easily converted to a XNF-1 at http://www.outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=1995  nothing for the RE-2001 OR that I know of.