How early could a FAA carrier based version have been deployed assuming it was ordered off the drawing board as the original heavy fighter version was?
Could such an aircraft have been in service late 1941 or early 42?
Assuming the decision to proceed with such an aircraft was made in 1939, would it have been possible to have a suitably modified carrier available for trails and more importantly to deploy it by early or mid 1941?
Hypothetical modified Ark Royal, two instead of three shafts, BD instead of UD 4.5" twins and of course larger lifts, stronger deck, arrested gear and more powerful catapults designed for much larger heavier aircraft, i.e. a navalised Beaufighter (Gawd how awful does Seabeaufighter sound :s). This lighter cheaper but more versatile Ark along with its Beaus is ready for service in late 41, just in time to support US operations against Japan in 42.