Seversky P-35

The Seversky P‑35 was the United States Army Air Corps’ first single‑engine monoplane fighter equipped with an enclosed cockpit, retractable landing gear and an all‑metal stressed‑skin construction. Designed by the visionary engineer Alexander Kartveli, the aircraft first flew in 1935 and entered service in 1937 as the P‑35A, later designated the A‑12 for export. Its 1,050 hp Allison V-1710 engine drove a two‑bladed propeller, delivering a top speed of about 290 mph and a service ceiling near 30,000 ft. Armament typically consisted of one .50‑caliber machine gun synchronized to fire through the propeller and an additional .30‑caliber gun in the wing. The P‑35’s sleek low‑wing layout and flaps gave it superior maneuverability compared with contemporary biplanes, and its modern features set a new standard for American fighter design. Although it was quickly outclassed by more powerful aircraft such as the P‑40 and P‑51, the P‑35 provided valuable combat experience to pilots in the Philippines and China and served as a crucial stepping stone toward Kartveli’s later legendary designs, including the Republic P‑47 Thunderbolt and F‑84 Thunderjet. Its legacy lies in demonstrating the transition from biplane to all‑metal monoplane fighters in the pre‑World War II era.

Alexander Kartveli

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