Curtis-Wright CW-19R in South America
In the late 1930's Curtis-Wright designed the CW-19 as a private aircraft employing the latest construction methods, maybe equivalent to the Cirrus SR22 of today, but quickly saw the military potential of the design.
After only 26 of the original civil model were built, the cabin was redesigned and engine changed from 90 hp to 350 hp, while a single gun was fitted to fire through the propeller and another gun could be fitted in a pod on each undercarriage spat. Fittings were included for a flexible gun mounted for the rear seat and bomb racks fitted under the fuselage.
Being small, cheap and reliable the aircraft found a market amongst smaller nations, with a modest 23 being produced.
But the design and concept were both good, and was further improved to become the CW-21 and CW-22 with over 400 of those models being produced as fighters and trainers.