Fleet Air Arm Seafire LR753 of 807 squadron HMS Hunter November 1943

History

The Supermarine Seafire, or Sea Spitfire (the official name), was a naval development of the Spitfire, and was the first modern carrier based fighter fielded by the Royal Navy. Primarily developed for carrier use, the Seafire incorporated changes such as a tail hook, attachments for catapult use, and on later variants, folding wings. The Seafire was not the ideal carrier fighter and especially landings were difficult; but its performance outweighed the disadvantages. The Seafire had a short range, but its fast climb and agility made it a very good Fleet defence fighter. The last Seafire version Mk 47 was used in the Korean war, and retired in 1952.

As early as 1938, Supermarine had approached the Admiralty with a specifically designed Naval version of the Spitfire. However, due to circumstances beyond their control, the Admiralty ordered the Fairey Fulmar as the new aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm. In February and May 1940 the Admiralty asked the Air Ministry for Spitfires but on both occasions they were turned down. However, with the Admiralty's need for a capable carrier-based fighter to take up the task of combatting Japanese Zero's or Messerschmitts which the Seafire II could perform that task, this need eventually led to the Fleet Air Arm being provided with the modified Spitfire land-based fighter to take up the combat roll. In 1941 the Air Ministry offered some Mk I Spitfires to the Navy but the Admiralty demanded the latest version in production, the Mk V.

Finally, in September 1941 the Admiralty placed an order for 250 Spitfire Mk Va and Vb aircraft. They had, however, yet to decide on what modifications had to take place in order to make the aircraft suited to carrier operations. The land-based Spitfire V were then modified and renamed the Seafire II. The first Seafires were actually hooked Spitfires. The RAF loaned 110 Mk Va and Vb and three Mk II b's to the FAA for training purposes of which 59, including the II b's, had been fitted with arrester hooks. The modifications of the Spitfire did change the Seafire's characteristics somewhat. Approaches were difficult, visibility was limited at best, landing gear collapses were commonplace, and, the arrester hooks had a tendency to miss and bounce back into the fuselage frames which buckled the airframe. More were lost to breaking their landing gear in hard landings than to all enemy causes. As a low-level fleet defense interceptor, the Seafire was supreme, but it paid a price with its fragility.

Two of the ex-RAF Spitfire V aircraft were sent to the factory for full naval conversion. HMS Illustrious saw the first landing of Seafire on 10 February 1942. Eventually 163 ex-RAF aircraft were converted to the Seafire Mk Ib standard by the addition of arrester hooks, strengthened rear fuselages, slinging points, and Naval radios.

Fleet Air Arm Seafire1b 7-B onboard HMS Indomitable 1940s

The next major version of the Seafire to enter service was the Mk F III in November 1943. This was the first version to be fitted with a folding wing which allowed below deck stowage for the first time. The initial batch of the Mk F III were quickly replaced by the Mk L III with the low rated Merlin 55 M engine. Over 1000 of these aircraft were produced. The FAA also had a requirement for recce and converted a number of Mk II and Mk III aircraft for this role by adding a pair of f.24 cameras. It was in this role that the Seafire was most successful.

The first Griffon powered Seafire, the XV, was introduced into service in May 1945. This was the first Seafire designed from the start with folding wings with production starting in Nov 1944. When the war ended eight FAA Squadrons were equipped with the Mk III and the other four were converting to the XV. Eventually the Fleet Air Arm used the F4U and F6F to fill the Fleet defender roll.

The Seafire XV was the first Griffon-powered Seafire. It combined the wing of the Seafire
III with the fuselage of the Spitfire V and the engine, cowling and prop of the Spitfire XII. The Griffon turned opposite the Merlin, but the "bend" of the airframe was not changed, which led  Griffon Spitfires to swing on takeoff. The Seafire XV arrived just too late for operational service in World War II. Despite all its problems, its low-level performance would have been good against the Kamikazes had an invasion of Japan been required.

The Seafire also served with other Commonwealth and overseas Fleet Air Arms. The Seafire IIc MB190 was tested in the USA for possible use in 1944 with Seafire IIc MB190 being sent to Naval Air Test Centre, USNAS Patuxent River in May 1944 where it remained until VE-Day 1945. The Seafire was also tested by the SAAF,  Seafire F.III  LR783 went on trials with 7 SAAF squadron from June till July 1944. The French Fleet Air Arm (Aeronavale) received Seafire IIc in April 1948 (eg NN136), Seafire LIII after 1947 (eg NN312, NN303) and Seafire III as 54S.24 (Arromanches).

A total of 35 Seafires served with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) from 14 March 1946 to 29 April 1954. During this period the Seafire was flown operationally by 803 Squadron (June 1945 - August 1947) and 883 Squadron (September 1945 - November 1947) from the aircraft carrier HMCS Warrior and the Royal Canadian Naval Air Section which was a lodger unit at Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Station Dartmouth (RCNAS Shearwater). The last Seafire was struck off strength from the RCN in April 1954.

The Seafire was withdrawn from Fleet Air Arm front-line service in 1951 and continued to serve with the RNVR until late 1954.

Seafire Ib PA117 of 767 squadron decklanding training squadron onboard a
Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier, possibly HMS Argus, in 1943

Versions
 Prototype     One Spitfire Mk VB converison with deck-arrester hook
 Mk IB      166 Spitfire VB conversions; Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 or 46;Two hispanio cannon and two
                         .303in Browning machine guns
 F.Mk IIC        Medium altitude fighter version. Spitfire Mk VC conversions with Universal wing
 L.(F).Mk IIC  Low altitude fighter version. Spitfire Mk VC conversions with Universal wing
 F.R. Mk IIC    Reconnaissance fighter version. Spitfire Mk VC conversions with Universal wing
 F.Mk III          As MK IIC variants above, with foldine wings
 L.(F).Mk III    As MK IIC variants above, with foldine wings
 F.R. Mk III      As MK IIC variants above, with foldine wings
 Mk III (Hybrid)
                          Westland-built model with normal non-folding wings; Merlin 55; redesignated as L.(F).Mk
                           IIC
 Mk XV, XVIII, 45, 46 and 47
                           Griffon-engined post-war variants

Seafire Mk FR47 Korea era post war

Fleet Air Arm history
        Supermarine Seafire
        Total FAA 1939-1945:        2699 by VJ-Day 1945
        First delivered to RN:          1.1942
        First squadron 1939-1945:    807 sqdn 7.1942
        Operational squadron:          807 sqdn 7.1942
        Last served with RN            1954
 

Named Presentation Seafires in the Fleet Air Arm   Bondowoso             MB328 (ex BL676)  to A and AE, Boscombe Down 3.1942   Salatiga                     NX879 (ex BL635) 897 squadron at Lee on Solent 3.1943   Gawdex                     NX 883 (ex W3212) 897 squadron at Lee on Solent 3.1943   North Star                 NX899 (ex AD387) 809 squadron 5.1943   Neils Ebbesen          NX920 (ex BL855) 761 squadron 5.1943   One for Avro            NX943 (ex AB181) 751 squadron 5.1943   Lima Challenger       NX952 (ex en851) 897 squadron at Lee on Solent 5.1943   Twickenham II         NX 982 (ex ad241) 761 squadron 5.1943   Leicester Division   PA112 (ex AD357) 758 squadron at Yeovilton 12.1943

75 Supermarine Seafire F.45 ordered under Contract nos B.981687/39 and Ctts/Acft/1951 from Vickers Armstrong (Castle Bromwich) Ltd
Serial Numbers: LA428-LA540

Partial replacement of cancelled order of 5.42 for Spitfire F.21s. 50 assembled and f lown at South Marston under contract No 4424 to LA499.

First FF 17.1.45 (LA428) others FF till 12.45
First sdqn : 778 sqdn Arbroath 6.45 LA440, LA441 and LA454, LA480 deld Pretoria Castle 7-8.45 for intensive deck-landing trials.
Total 62 by 8.45

24 Supermarine Seafire F.46 and FR.46 ordered under contract nos B.981687/39 and Ctts/Acft/1951 from Vickers Armstrong (Castle Bromwich) Ltd. Assembled and flown at South Marston.
Serial Numbers: LA541-LA564.

Total 1 by 9.1945 rest late 45 and 1946.

110 Supermarine Seafire L.IIc ordered 25.11.42 under contract nos B.124305/40 and Ctts/Acct/2605/C.23 ( c) from Westland Aircraft Ltd, Yeovil. Operationally equipped at 15 MU Wroughton.
Serial Numbers: LR631-LR764.

First deld VA Worthy Down 4.1.43
First Sqdn 833 sqdn early 1943

90 Supermarine Seafire F.III ordered 25.11.42 under contract nos B.124305/40 and Ctts/Acct/2605/C.23 ( c) from Westland Aircraft Ltd, Yeovil. First 30 fitted with fixed ‘c’ universal wings. Mods to L.III
Serial Numbers: LR765-LR881.

Deld 4.43.  Most 6.43 onwards
Sdn: 787 sqdn Wittering 10.43 LR767
Op sqdn 11.43 894 sqdn  LR769; many 894 sqdn to HMS Illustrious in 11.43
Last : LR804 1832 sqdn at Culham 11.47

202 Seafire IIc ordered 25.11.42 under contract nos B.19713/39 from Supermarine Aviation (Vickers) Ltd. Operationally equipped at 15 MU Wroughton.
Serial Numbers: MA970-MB326.
From MA980 to early MB serials, believe fitted by AST Hamble with arrester hook and other fitments before entering service.

Deld from 5.42 MA970
First sqn: 778 sqdn for ship trials 9.42 MA970.
Op sqdn: 807 sqdn 7.42 MA971 many 7.42 onwards
Last : MB219 Fanara Dump, Egypt 4.47, also MB256. many 1945.

48 Supermarine Seafire Ib conversions from Spitfire F.Vb Air Service Training Hamble.
Serial Numbers: MB328-MB375

First 1.42 till 6.42

200 Supermarine Seafire LIII ordered 25.11.42 under cont no ctts/acft/2605/23 ( c) from Westland Aircraft Ltd, Yeovil.
Serial Numbers: NF418-NF665
First 38 reported fitted with fixed wings , the survivors of these later fitted with standard folding assemblies.

First 1.44
Last NF578 806 sqdn 8.45 and on Balado Bridge Dump 3.52

60 Supermarine Seafire IIc ordered 5.1.43 under cont no B.19713/39/C.23 from Supermarine Aviation (Vickers) Ltd, Eastleigh.
Serial Numbers: NM910-NM982
Originally laid down as Spitfires EN686-EN759, but these serials were cancelled and superceded  12.1.43.

First flown at Chattis Hill.
First deld 15MU 1.43
First sqdn 4.43 899 sqdn NM910, 801 sqdn 4.43 NM911
Last  NN136 to Aeronavale 4.48

200 Supermarine Seafire LIII ordered 5.1.43 under cont no B124305/40 and ctts/acft/2605/23 ( c) from Westland Aircraft Ltd, Yeovil.
Serial Numbers: NM984-NN330

First 5.44 (NM984)
First sqdn 807 sqdn 7.44 NM985, 879 sqdn HMS Attacker 8.44 (NM984)
Last – NN312, 767 sqdn 6.47; a number to Aeronavale after 1947 eg NN312, NN303

250 Supermarine Seafire III ordered 15.1.43 under cont no ctts/acft/2777/CB.23 ( c) from Cunliffe-Owen Aircraft Ltd, Eastleigh.
Serial Numbers: NN333-NN641

First 10.43
Sqdn 12.43 894 sqdn NN344
Last – NN456 after 7.45 to Aeronavale [1947?] as 54S.24 (Arromanches), also NN546 to Aeronavale. NN504 SOC Donisbristle 4.48. 767 sqdn NN547 Easthaven 4.47. Many till 1946.

3 Supermarine Type 377 Seafire F.XV Prototypes ordered 8.3.43 from Supermarine Aviation (Vickers) Ltd, under cont no acft/2901 to spec N.4/43.
Serial Numbers: NS487, 490 and 493

Deld 2.44-6.44

138 Supermarine Type 340 Seafire Ib conversions of Spitfire Vb originally ordered 25.3.43 from Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble under contract no 2259.
Serial Numbers: NX879-PAL39

In the event PA100-PAL139 were transferred to Phillips & Powis for completion at South Marston. Then PAL125-PAL139 were transferred to Supermarine, but PAL125-PAL129 were taken up , PAL130-PAL139 being cancelled.

First at Hamble for CV 10.2.43. 897 sqdn at Lee 3.43 (many to Hamble 2.43)

3 Seafire F.XV Prototypes built by Vickers Supermarine under cont no acft/2901/CB.23 ( c) dated 24.5.43 to specn.4/43.
Serial Numbers: PK240-PK245

First 11.44

250 Supermarine Seafire III and LIII ordered 17.7.43 under cont no ctts/acft/2605/23 ( c) from Westland Aircraft Ltd, Yeovil.
Serial Numbers: PP921-PR334

250 Supermarine Seafire III and LIII ordered 17.7.43 under cont no ctts/acft/2605/23 ( c) from Westland Aircraft Ltd, Yeovil.
Serial Numbers: PP921-PR334

First PP921 LFIII 9.44

Supermarine Seafire XV 150 ordered 17.7.43 under cont no ctts/acft/2777/C.23  ( c) from Cunliffe-Owen Aircraft ltd, Eastleigh.
Serial Numbers: PR338-PR522. Originally ordered as MkIII cancelled from PR507 13.11.45

Total 65 deld by end 8.45
First PR338 3.45

50 Supermarine Seafire L.III and L.IIIc ordered 14.8.43 under cont no ctts/acft/2777/C.23  ( c) from Cunliffe-Owen Aircraft ltd, Eastleigh.
Serial Numbers: PX913-PX962
first 2.45
Total 50 deld by end 8.45

Supermarine Seafire III 300 ordered 18.1.44 under cont no ctts/acft/2605/C.23  ( c) from Westland Aircraft Ltd, Yeovil.
Serial Numbers: RX156-RX530. Builyt as L.llI to rx284 then mk III from rx285.

140 cancelled 3.44 from RX354 and replaced by Mk XV SR446-SR645. All originally ordered as Mk XV

First deld 1.45
159 total by 8.45

250 Supermarine Seafire XV ordered 12.2.44 under cont no ctts/acft/2777/C.23  ( c) from Cunliffe-Owen Aircraft ltd, Eastleigh and numbered  SP136-SP461. 50 completed as mk III up to SP197. SP198 –SP322 cancelled, SP323-SP355 completed post-war as F.XVII. SP356 onwards cancelled.

First 3.45 SP136

140 Supermarine Seafire F.XV ordered 2.44 under Cont no b.124305/40 and ctts/acft/2605/C.23  ( c) from Westland Aircraft Ltd, Yeovil
Serial Numbers:  SR446-SR645

First SR446 9.44
Total 140 deld by 8.45

Seafire XV, Seafire F.XV, Seafire F.XV and F.XVIII

500 Supermarine Seafire F.XV and F.XVIII ordered 3.4.44 under Cont no b.124305/40 and acft/3853/C.23  ( c) from Westland Aircraft Ltd, Yeovil.
Serial Numbers: SW781-SX546.

Completed as F.XV to SW921.
Cancelled between SW922-SW985.
Completed as F.XVII between SW986-SX389, cancelled from SX390.
Total by end 8.45 112 (26 as Seafire F.17)

3 Supermarine Seafire F.45 protypes ordered 15.7.44 under cont no 981687/39 from Cunliffe Owen Ltd Eastleigh as navalised Spitfires F.21s.
Serial Numbers: TM379, TM383 and TM398

Total 2 (3rd cancelled)
Deld 8.44 and 7.45

The Supermarine Seafire was involved in many theatres, Petsamo/Kirkenes, Operations in North Africa, extensively in the Mediterranean, Operations Pedestal, Operations in the South of France, and in D-Day Normandy, as well as in the Pacific.

The first major operation involving Seafires was Operation Torch in North Africa followed by Operation Husky in Sicily. Operation Husky showed just how fragile the Seafire was. Of the 106 initially deployed less than 50 survived the first 48 hours due to landing accidents and only 23 were serviceable when the operation concluded. It was during Operation Torch that the first Seafire air to air kill was recorded by Sub Lt GC Baldwin.

Subsequently, the Seafire proved an ideal observation platform and played a major gun spotting role on D-Day. During strikes in the invasion period in France, Operation Dragoon, on 19 August 1944, Seafire LR638 flown by Sub Lt DD James of 809 squadron (HMS Stalker) bombed and strafed trains and the station at Avignon. On this occasion his aircraft was hit in oil radiator, and the pilot baled out off the coast.

The Seafire III introduced folding wings and did most of its fighting in the Indian Ocean with the Far Eastern Fleet and the Pacific with the British Pacific Fleet. A Seafire III was the first FAA aircraft to fly over Japan in the Summer of 1945. In the Operation Meridian II attacks against the Japanese on 29 January 1945, Seafire NN210 of 887 squadron (HMS Indefatigable) flown by Sub Lt JW Hayes shared the shooting down of a Japanese Ki21, his own engine was hit by return fire, and he ditched, to be picked up after 1 ½ hrs in punctured Mae West up by HMS Undine. A Seafire fighter of the Royal Navy shot down the last enemy aircraft on the very day of the Japanese surrender in August 1945. Seafire L. Mk.III of 887 Squadron (HMS Indefatigable) of the British Pacific Fleet and piloted by Sub Lt GJ Murphy shot down two Mitsubishi A6M Reisens, at Odaki Bay, Japan, 15.8.45.

 SUPERMARINE SEAFIRE L. Mk.III, 887 Squadron, HMS Indefatigable, British Pacific Fleet, August 1945
Piloted by Sub-Lieutenant G.J. Murphy this aircraft shot down two Mitsubishi A6M Reisens, Odaki Bay Japan, 15.8.45,

Seafire also saw comabt in Korea and in the Indochina War, including French Fleet Air Arm Seafire IIIs of Flotille 1F aboard Arromanches in 1947-49. The last version of the Seafire, the Mk 47, saw action in Korea with No 800 Sqn flying their last missions in 1950. These aircraft were able to carry three 500 lb bombs or eight rockets and were 100 mph faster and 5000 lbs heavier than the first versions of the Seafire.
HMS Triumph Underway off Subic Bay, Philippines, during joint US and RN  naval exercises, 8 March 1950.
Planes on her deck include Supermarine Seafire 47s of 800 Squadron, forward, and Fairey Fireflys aft.

World wide there are about 50 flying examples of the Supermarine Spitfire, of the 200 or so Spitfires and Seafires that survive. The number of airworthy aircraft fluctuates as new specimens are restored to flying condition and others become none flying airframes. See Flying and Preserved Spitfires around the World by Deltaweb aviation website.

Approximately 17 preserved Seafire around the world can be found, including at the FAA Museum (UK) (Seafire F 17: SX137), at Leamington (UK), Winthorpe (UK), Ex PR Arnold (under restoration), and another in wrecked condition in Malta. There is also an example at the Naval Museum of Alberta (Canada)(Seafire MK XV FZ 425), as well as at the Minnesota Polar Museum, where the museum an ex RCN Seafire is under restoration (F.XV PR503). An Additional Seafire was on the market in 2000, for sale in 2000 by Courtesy Aircraft Sales.

Seafire LA564 preserved P Arnold in 2000 (UK)

Peter Arnold's  photograph showing his Seafire 46 LA564 and Spitfire Mk.XII EN224 (centre, right and front) both in the process of restoration in the UK.

Seafire_MkIII_cockpit_preserved at Hawker restorations (UK)

Seafire III currently undergoing restoration by Hawker Restorations in the UK.

Seafire_MkXV_MK XV Serial FZ 425 Preserved_built in 1945.Naval Museum of Alberta (Canada)

The Naval Museum of Alberta (Canada) Seafire Mk XV PR451: One of the last remaining Seafires acquired from the Royal Navy in January 1946, it had been originally delivered to the FAA at RDU Culham on 5 October 1845. PR451 was flown by 803 Squadron operating from the Aircraft Carrier HMCS WARRIOR 803 squadron became part of the 19th Support Air Group in Shearwater in January 1951 and was renumbered VF-870 on March 1st, 1951. The Squadron was disbanded in September 1962.

• The Spitfire Society
• The Deltaweb Spitfire website
• Battle of  Britain Fighter Pilots Association

FURTHER INFORMATION   The Spitfire Society THE society for the Spitfire and Seafire. Currently Flying Spitfires. web information includes sections on: The differences between Marks of Spitfire, information sources, the engines that drove Spitfires, aircraft presented by individuals, firms, and, spitfire Fund Raising, RAF Squadrons that flew Spitfires, R.J. Mitchell- the father of the Spitfire, A brief summary of Spitfire development, a short history of Supermarine, links to other spitfire-related sites Spitfire Information worldwide Details of the spitfire/seafire around the world, including history, stories, restoration, models, shows, museums The History of the Seafire By Tom Rea IPMS Ottawa A short history of the Supermarine Seafire in Commonwealth Naval Service The Supermarine Spitfire, an operational history by Christopher Whitehead. To honour the 60th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire, perhaps one of the most famous fighter aircraft of all time, we present "Spitfire is 60", an operational history of this famous marque.A list of flying examples in the UK, and Spitfires preserved in museums throughtout the rest of the world is also included for reference. SUPERMARINE SEAFIRE by the Shearwater Naval Museum The Royal Canadian Navy and the SUPERMARINE SEAFIRE [ History | Specifications ]  Flightline and the Spitfire/Seafire Summary of the Spitfire and Seafire aviation career. Includes colour profiles in squadron markings. Supermarine Seafire XV and DND Photos of Pre-1970 Canadian Naval Air Assets.Naval Museum of Manitoba. Supermarine Seafire XV: Canadian Naval Air Forces DND Photos of Pre-1970 Canadian Naval Air Assets.  Supermarine Seafire Mk.XV in Canadian Aircraft Carriers, the ships and their aircraft History and Profile of the Supermarine Seafire Mk.XV The Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire Details of the description of subtypes, details, history, and scale model kit reviews, as well as links to other Spitfire-related sites. Details of Spitfire Mk IX, XI and XVI variants Manston Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Official site of the RAF Manston Museum Supermarine Spitfire. book by by Geoffrey Bussy. Published by Alan Hall Publications Supermarine Seafire - Griffon Engined Variants Warpaint No. 20 Seafire and other Aircraft Profiles, by Scott Fraser, owner of Tally Ho! The following profiles are offered by Scott Fraser, owner of Tally Ho! decals, Seafire L.III, NN212, 887 Squadron, HMS Indefatigable, Seafire L.III, PR171, 807 Squadron, HMS Hunter Burmese Coast, May 1945 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XII-24, Supermarine Seafire Mk.I-47; Arco-Aircam Aviation Series No. 8 A colour profile and three photos of Seafire IIIs of Flotille 1F (misidentified as 22F on the photos) aboard Arromanches in '47-49. Aircraft Profiles by FAUCONBERG AEROGRAPHICS An A-Z of Aircraft Profiles by FAUCONBERG AEROGRAPHICS, including SUPERMARINE SEAFIRE L.R. Mk. IIC, 880 Squadron, Royal Navy FAA, H.M.S. Indomitable, April 1943, SUPERMARINE SEAFIRE L. Mk.III, 887 Squadron, Royal Navy FAA, H.M.S. Indefatigable, British Pacific Fleet, August 1945 Piloted by Sub-Lieutenant G.J. Murphy this aircraft shot down two Mitsubishi A6M Reisens, Odaki Bay Japan, 15.8.45, SUPERMARINE SEAFIRE F. Mk.XV, 803 Squadron, Royal Canadian Navy, H.M.C.S. Warrior, April, 1947 Sturtivant, R. & Burrow, M (1995) 'Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to 1945'  Published by Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1995 ISBN: 085130 232 7

Created 3-4-1999, Modified 3-4-2000

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