by Felix/FFDS » Wed Jun 25, 2003 8:24 am
I was about to say that "why?" since none were built with folding wings .... The carrier tests that were made were done with a standard P-51D with strengthened gear.
There were design studies to adapt the P-51 for carrier use, with folding wings, etc., however.. as well as for a radial engined trainer variant that evolved into the Trojan (if I recall my readings correctly).
Air Enthusiast (?) had an article on the naval projects. I'll have to dig up something and post.
Early in the war, consideration was given to adapting the Mustang to carrier duties, but by the time the trials came about, it was late in the war, and the established carrier fighters (Hellcat, Corsair) were available in numbers, and (probably) better suited to the type of flying/fighting. Ultimately, with the advent of jet power on the horizon, a "new' development from an otherwise "unproven" naval fighter manufacturer (notwithstanding the carrier-capable SNJ buit) wasn't practical. North American would get into the "naval swing" with the Fury (FJ) series and the later A-5 Vigilante...
Felix/FFDS