The case for the Hellcat over a navalised P-47

Could the P-47 Thunderbolt have been navalised instead of relying on the F6F Hellcat?

The preference here is for the Hellcat: naval conversion is judged likely to cost the P-47 performance, while its heavier bomb load does not by itself establish carrier suitability.

A navalised P-47 would have had to carry its weapons off a carrier, reach its target and return to the ship. Its larger stated bomb load therefore does not by itself settle the comparison with the Hellcat. The preference for the Hellcat rests on its combined fighter and ground-attack roles and its existing carrier-handling qualities. An initial dismissive assessment of the P-47's ground-attack ability is challenged and corrected: it was very good, though the Hellcat is still preferred. Naval conversion is judged likely to impair the Thunderbolt's performance.