Derived from the Sikorsky SEV-3, the SEV-2XP (2-seat experimental pursuit) was a two-seat fighter. It was powered by a 735 hp Wright R-1820 radial engine, had fixed landing gear in aerodynamic spats and was armed with one .50 in and one .30 in forward-firing machine guns plus an additional .30 in gun for rear defence.
The SEV-2XP was entered in a competition for a new single-seat fighter for the United States Army Air Corps in 1935. It was damaged in transit and returned Seversky’s Farmingdale factory for repairs. In the meantime, Seversky learned that his competition from Northrop and Curtiss had entered single seat aircraft with retractable undercarriage. Accordingly, the SEV-2XP was rebuilt in this configuration and given the company designation SEV-1XP (single seat experimental pursuit).
The Seversky SEV-1XP (single seat experimental pursuit) was a single-seat fighter prototype developed from the SEV-2XP (2-seat experimental pursuit). The SEV-2XP had been entered in a competition for a new single-seat fighter for the United States Army Air Corps in 1935, but was damaged in transit and returned Seversky’s Farmingdale factory for repairs. In the meantime, Seversky learned that his competition from Northrop and Curtiss had entered single seat aircraft with retractable undercarriage. Accordingly, the SEV-2XP was rebuilt in this configuration and given the company designation SEV-1XP.
After winning the fly-off evaluation, an order for 77 P-35 fighters and spare parts equivalent to eight airplanes was placed on 16 June 1936. Seversky was inexperienced in mass-production and deliveries were very slow. It was not until the following spring that the First Pursuit Group received their P-35s. Concerned about slow deliveries, and the sale of 2PA two-seat aircraft to the Japanese Navy, the USAAC contracted with Curtiss-Wright for 210 P-36 aircraft.
The 77th P-35 was retained by Seversky and developed into the XP-41, was developed in parallel with the P-43 Lancer. Work was stopped when the USAAC showed a preference for the latter.
The Seversky SEV-1XP was retained by Seversky and flown in the 1937 Bendix and Thompson races. Modified as an executive transport with a cabin below and behind the cockpit, it was redesignated the SEV-S1 Executive. Aviatrix Jackie Cochran later used it for a record breaking New York-Miami flight. The aircraft later had the tail wheel fail, damaging the SEV-1XP beyond repair.
Seversky SEV-1XPSeversky SEV-1XPSeversky SEV-1XPJackie Cochran in the Seversky SEV-1XP R18YMajor Alexander Seversky and Jackie Cochran in the Seversky SEV-1XP R18Y in 1937Jackie Cochran and Seversky SEV-1XP X18Y in 1937Seversky SEV-S1 Executive R18YSeversky SEV-S1 Executive R18Y
The Seversky AT-12 Guardsman was an advanced trainer operated by the USAAF during the Second World War. Originally ordered by Sweden as Seversky 2PA fighter bombers (called the B6 in Swedish service), only 2 of the 52 ordered were delivered before an arms embargo was emplaced. The remaining 50 aircraft were passed on the the USAAF.
Seversky AT-12 Guardsman Line DrawingSeversky AT-12, 41-17529, at Hammer FieldSeversky AT-12 Guardsman, 41-17529, at Hammer FieldSeversky AT-12 Guardsman, 41-17529, at Hammer FieldSeversky AT-12 Guardsman, NX-55911Seversky AT-12 GuardsmanSeversky AT-12 GuardsmanSeversky AT-12 GuardsmanSeversky AT-12 GuardsmanSeversky AT-12 with underwing practice bombsSeversky AT-12Seversky AT-12 Guardsman, 41-17529 landing accidentSeversky AT-12 Guardsman, 41-17529 landing accidentSeversky AT-12 Guardsman, 41-17529 landing accidentSeversky AT-12 undercarriage
