Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.
Question: What warbird do I describe?
Clues:
1. It was designed as a fighter, but spent much of its life in another role.
2. Single engine.
3. Single seat.
4. Our subject aircraft was a development of a prior prototype aircraft.
5. A prototype aircraft not noted for being handsome or handy.
6. In fact, the first prototype crashed, killing its pilot, on its first flight.
7. Modifications were made and three more prototypes prepared.
8. The design of the fuselage featured a rather high seating position for the pilot, which was done to allow increased visibility.
9. Fairings were used to reduce resistance around the cockpit wherever possible.
10. The design of the fuselage was also specifically intended to allow construction by relatively unskilled workers.
11. The initial production versions largely followed the design of the prototypes.
12. The parent company of the manufacturer was located in a foreign country; and this was the first aircraft designed by the subsidiary.
13. The initial production run of the fighters were armed with a single machine gun located above the top wing.
14. Later versions were equipped with two machine guns located along the forward fuselage.
15. Although our subject aircraft was reasonably fast, had excellent flying characteristics and was quite maneuverable, most combat pilots preferred an available foreign design.