Seversky 2PA-204A (Republic AT-12 Guardsman) 7201
The Seversky 2PA was a two-seat version
of the P-35, the intent being to have accommodation
for a
rear gunner. In the early 1940s Sweden ordered 52 2PAs (the
Swedish designation was
B 6) but, in
the event, WW II broke out in Europe and an embargo prevented them from
receiving
more
than two machines. The remaining 50 aircraft were appropriated by the
USAAC, re-armed
with 0.30 in and 0.50
in machine guns, and used as advanced trainers named the AT-12
Guards-
man. In
the meantime, Alexander P. de Seversky had been voted by the Board of
Directors
out of hi own
company (don't you just hate it when Boards do that - how arrogant can
you get?)
and the
re-organized concern was named Republic Aviation Corporation.
The AT-12 above
bears the tiny
serial 7201 on the rear fuselage, and this aircraft was one of those
which were
embargoed.
It later received the serial 41-17494 as a USAAC
AT-12. The Flygvapnet only
received the serials 7203 and 7204. The photo below shows
a Seversky EP-106 single seat
fighter, the Swedish equivalent of the P-35.
They were designated J 9 in Flygvapnet service
and
received the serials 2101 to 2160. A further 60, serials 2161 to
2220 were embargoed
and put in USAAC
service as P-35A serials 41-17434 thru 41-17493.
Seversky EP-106
2122