[akdavis]

More of interest to be built would be the Navalised P-51, which actually WAS converted and trailed.

You are correct Magpie, but the Navy test pilot involved determined that it would have been unsuited for shipboard operations for three reasons; it was too difficult to land for the average Naval pilot; the landing gear was too delicate; and the Packard Merlin liquid cooled engine would not stand up to the requirements of shipboard operations. Personally, I think a better choice for them to have investigated would have been a P-47 with Fouler flaps, allowing for a slower approach speed. But that's just my opinion. :wink:

What would a P-47 have offered over the Hellcat or Corsair, other than being a whole hell of a lot more difficult to get off the deck of the carrier? The Navy was not looking for a Hellcat or Corsair replacement. The navalized P-51 was considered for a very specific mission in very specific circumstances, and pretty much only for its outstanding range capability.