With the arrival of the 1200HP class engines for the J-23, there was some hope that the increased performance would somewhat mitigate the drag of the floats. The J-23 so equipped, could manage a top speed of just over 325 mph, helped by the improved engine, and retractable landing gear. As an archipelago nation, Nieuw Friesland found the notion of seaplane fighters useful, and the compact size of the Puffin made for easy transport.
Though having a top speed of only 260 mph, the Sea Puffin distinguished itself during the war, operating from small, lend-lease seaplane carriers, protecting remote outposts, conducting harassment raids on Japanese islands, and interdicting recon flights, among other duties. Fights with the more nimble Nakajima A6M2 were not uncommon, and frequently came down to which pilot was the more skilled, though the Sea Puffin was generally faster, and better armed, with 4x.50 MGs.
@Raxar--Thank you, the aircraft evolved from my original intent, but I'm still happy with the results.