Supermarine Seafire

Like the Hawker Hurricane a naval version of the Spitfire would appear, named the Seafire, and entered service in 1942, the Supermarine Seafire would stay in Fleet Air Arm service until 1951. It would also support the Allied landings in Southern France in 1944, and serve with both Canadian and French forces.

After various attempts had been made over the years to produce a naval version of the Supermarine Spitfire, it was only after the success of the navalised Hawker Hurricane, the Hawker Sea Hurricane, that in 1941 the go ahead was given, up until this point the Fleet Air Arm was having to use Blackburn Rocs, and navalised Gloster Gladiators, known as the Sea Gladiator and Fairey Fulmars. A mark VB Spitfire fitted with an arrestor hook was sent to HMS Illustrious for trials, and despite trouble landing, due to the Spitfire's narrow landing gear, the compatibility trials were successful, and a number of Spitfires were converted for naval use. Theses navalised Spitfires would be know as Supermarine Seafires.

During 1942 Air Service Training at Hamble converted a number of Spitfire V's and Supermarine modified a number on the production line and brand new Seafires were built by Cunliffe-Owen Aircraft, this plane was known as the Seafire IB. Featuring either a fixed or clipped wing, which was dependant on the Supermarine Spitfire mark converted to a Seafire, and either two 20-mm cannons and four 0.303 machine-guns or the more uncommon four 20-mm cannon armament.

The next version the Seafire IIC featured the four 20-mm cannon armament and provision for catapult spools. Two versions of the IIC were built. The F.IIC and a low altitude version the L.IIC, which produced a sub variant for photo reconnaissance work fitted with F.24 cameras, the Supermarine Seafire LR.IIC. First entering service when twelve joined No. 807 Squadron during June 1942, and with other Seafires which No. 801 Squadron received in September 1942 whilst with HMS Furious they participated during the Allied invasion in November 1942 of North Africa, before leaving HMS Furious in February 1943.

Introducing manually folding wings with two folds, one before the armament and the other allowing the wing tips to fold downwards, the Supermarine Seafire Mk III made handling of the plane much easier and the Mk III could be transported using carrier lifts. The Mk III entered service during March 1944, with Seafires being involved during the invasion of Southern France during August 1944. As with the Mk IIC this was also built in F. L. and LR. Specifications, and could also be fitted with a drop tank to increase the range of the plane.

As a results of large number of landing accidents on aircraft carries, after providing aerial support for Allied forces landing in the Gulf of Salerno, had exhausted the spare propellers stock aboard HMS Hunter the only action available was to cut six inched off each blade of the damaged propeller, this was to become standard practice as it proved an effective remedy.

The next mark of Seafire was the Mk VX which was the first to be powered by a Rolls-Royce Griffon engine, this was a natural change to match the engine change with the Spitfire, and had an increased fuel capacity and a new 'sting' type arrester hook. This entered service in May 1945 with No. 802 Squadron at Arbroath. A further Seafire, a Mk XVII featured a clear-view bubble canopy and an increase in fuel capacity, however this would not see service during the Second World War. Three more Supermarine Seafires followed the Mk 45 based on the Spitfire Mk 21 and Mks 46 and 47 being based on Spitfire Mks 22 and 24.

Seeing service in the Mediterranean, North Africa, Malta, Far East and Southern France, the Seafire also served with the Royal Canadian Navy, French Fleet Air Arm and a Seafire IIC was also sent to the USA for tests at the Naval Airtest Centre. With a total production of just over 2,500 the Supermarine Seafire, like the Spitfire would serve into the 1950's, being removed from front-line service with the Fleet Air Arm in 1951.

Also see Supermarine Spitfire

A Supermarine Seafire is on display at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton

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