The RAAF ended up with 8 P-43, using them for reconnaissance. Note the persistent brake problems.
See also Australian Archives Series A11093 control symbol 452/a56, 13 pages on the P-43
13 YP-40 September 1940 to April 1941, 54 P-43 May to August 1941, 205 September 1941 to April 1942. If I understand things correctly the first 80 P-43A did not have self sealing tanks, which is production until December 1941. Australia would need to import the supercharger to make a fighter design the US had already decided to discontinue in favour of the P-47. Plus cope with any differences in the version of R-1830 fitted to the P-43 and built in Australia. It is a non starter, at best coming into production after the US version had gone out of production and asking for a scarce resource, the supercharging, and 356 mph at 20,000 feet was comparable to a Boomerang with the same arrangement.
RAAF tests of P-43, report for week ending
14-Oct-42 Fuel consumption tests in progress. (SD&P flight)
21-Oct-42 Position error, fitting tachometer to turbo supercharger for engine handling data. (SD&P flight)
28-Oct-42 Modification for carriage of two 250 pound bombs has been completed on the prototype aircraft. Flight test held up due to hydraulic trouble.
28-Oct-42 Fuel consumption tests delayed owing to faulty operation of flow meter. (SD&P flight)
4-Nov-42 Tests on bomb installation held up due to unserviceability of aircraft. A 30 gallon auxiliary tank of panel steel has been designed, plywood tanks could not be obtained due to present lack of workshop capacity.
4-Nov-42 Fuel consumption tests delayed owing to brake unserviceability. (SD&P flight)
11-Nov-42 Carriage of 100 and 250 pound bombs successfully flight tested, buffeting on the ailerons barely noticeable. Manufacture of prototype auxiliary tanks well in hand.
11-Nov-42 Fuel consumption tests completed, figures of level speeds and fuel consumptions will be available shortly. (SD&P flight)
25-Nov-42 Live 250 pound bombs successfully dropped, prototype auxiliary tanks successfully flight tested, producing no ill effects on the flying characteristics. Four aircraft still have to have an auxiliary fuel line introduced and an attempt is being made to incorporate the Boomerang type fuel selector valve.
3-Feb-43 During a preliminary flight test the undercarriage folded up, now awaiting spare leg.
24-Feb-43 Received at SD&P flight, ground run and flights tested, partial climbs completed.
24-Mar-43 No useful tests done due to continual trouble. Aircraft has flown at least 240 hours but this does not appear in its log book.
31-Mar-43 Further brake and spark plug trouble. Aircraft ready for tests.
7-Apr-43 Several attempts at level speed runs at 25,000 feet but each time trouble with waste gate regulator, which is now being replaced.
14-Apr-43 High altitude manifold pressure below normal, ducts and their joint seals in poor condition. Tachometer fitted to turbine.
21-Apr-43 Further engine trouble. After several days in the hangar brakes give trouble requiring replacement of washers.
28-Apr-43 Unserviceable. Further engine trouble.
5-May-43 Continued unserviceability due to faulty turbo duct system.
12-May-43 Turbo duct system found to leak badly at rivets and joints, complete removal and repair nearly completed.
19-May-43 Serviceable and ready to continue tests. Turbo duct repair shown marked improvement on operation.
26-May-43 No flying due to low priority
9-Jun-43 Waste gate regulator controls being modified to give small changes of manifold pressures for larger movement of control.
16-Jun-43 No flying Waste gate regulator controls being modified.
7-Jul-43 Flight tests carried out