The last production Spitfires were the Mk. 21, 22, and 24. The Equivalent Navy models were the Seafire F Mk. 45, 46, and 47. The Seafire Mks. 46 and 47 came with a contra-rotating propeller to negate the tendency to swing on takeoff. None of these Spitfire and Seafire models were produced in large numbers. All came with a teardrop canopy, and for the first time the wing was redesigned. The new wing was similar in plan, but was stronger, carried more fuel, housed a longer landing gear (which allowed a larger diameter propeller), and carried four 20mm cannon. The Seafire Mks. 46 and 47 had improved folding wings, while the Mk. 45 had fixed wings. The Seafire 47 served in the Korean War. With these models the Spitfire had reached the end of its long career. WW2 was over and the jet age had begun. A total of about 22,800 Spitfires and Seafires of all types had been produced.
The Seafire had seen more than eight years of first-line service and the number of combat sorties that it flew in that time must surely have approached five figures. No. 800 Squadron had the honor of carrying out the last combat sorties of the Spitfire/Seafire family when in June 1950, the Korean War started. During the Korean Conflict the Seafire carried out 245 air patrols and 115 strike missions against land and sea targets without any losses due to enemy fire. When the Korean war broke out,HMS Triumph was in Far East waters with No 800 Squadron with its Seafire F.47s on board . Their first operation was a strike by 12 Seafires and 9 Fireflies on Haeju airfield on 3 July 1950. Because of their short range, the Seafires were frequently given the Combat Air Patrol task over the fleet. During the Inchon landings in September, Seafires flew armed reconnaissance missions and spotted for the bombarding cruisers. But, by the end of the month, No 800 Squadron had only three serviceable aircraft and no replacements were available in the Far East. The inevitable crop of landing accidents and cumulative airframe stress damage meant the end of the Seafire's operational life. HMS Triumph was replaced by HMS Theseus with its Sea Furies and Fireflies.
The final version Mk.47 was powered by a 2,375hp Rolls Royce Griffon 85 engine giving it a maximum speed of 723km/h (452mph) at 6,242m (20,500ft). It was armed with four Hispano 20mm cannons and up to eight 27kg rockets or 675kg bombs mounted beneath the fuselage and wings. This final Seafire variant had a distinctive look, and impressive performance: it had faster climb and dive rates than the Sea Vampire jet/
Nobody would pretend that the Seafire had been the ideal carrier fighter. It was an airplane, which seemed tailor-made for the pilot and few other aircraft that would have permitted the liberty of the crab-type approach that many pilots used for deck landings. It was a lousy ditcher and a number of fatal accidents resulting from its emulation of the diving characteristics of a submarine, but it had been designed for fighting not ditching.
A good aircraft, too late. The 2200HP of Griffon 87 drove a contra-rotating propeller, which virtually eliminated the torque reaction from the power available. It had the huge Spiteful tail section, and a folding wing. Unfortunately it was overtaken by technology (mostly the jet) and only 90 were built.
Submitted by NMG
The Seafire had seen more than eight years of first-line service and the number of combat sorties that it flew in that time must surely have approached five figures. No. 800 Squadron had the honor of carrying out the last combat sorties of the Spitfire/Seafire family when in June 1950, the Korean War started. During the Korean Conflict the Seafire carried out 245 air patrols and 115 strike missions against land and sea targets without any losses due to enemy fire. When the Korean war broke out,HMS Triumph was in Far East waters with No 800 Squadron with its Seafire F.47s on board . Their first operation was a strike by 12 Seafires and 9 Fireflies on Haeju airfield on 3 July 1950. Because of their short range, the Seafires were frequently given the Combat Air Patrol task over the fleet. During the Inchon landings in September, Seafires flew armed reconnaissance missions and spotted for the bombarding cruisers. But, by the end of the month, No 800 Squadron had only three serviceable aircraft and no replacements were available in the Far East. The inevitable crop of landing accidents and cumulative airframe stress damage meant the end of the Seafire's operational life. HMS Triumph was replaced by HMS Theseus with its Sea Furies and Fireflies.
The final version Mk.47 was powered by a 2,375hp Rolls Royce Griffon 85 engine giving it a maximum speed of 723km/h (452mph) at 6,242m (20,500ft). It was armed with four Hispano 20mm cannons and up to eight 27kg rockets or 675kg bombs mounted beneath the fuselage and wings. This final Seafire variant had a distinctive look, and impressive performance: it had faster climb and dive rates than the Sea Vampire jet/
Nobody would pretend that the Seafire had been the ideal carrier fighter. It was an airplane, which seemed tailor-made for the pilot and few other aircraft that would have permitted the liberty of the crab-type approach that many pilots used for deck landings. It was a lousy ditcher and a number of fatal accidents resulting from its emulation of the diving characteristics of a submarine, but it had been designed for fighting not ditching.
A good aircraft, too late. The 2200HP of Griffon 87 drove a contra-rotating propeller, which virtually eliminated the torque reaction from the power available. It had the huge Spiteful tail section, and a folding wing. Unfortunately it was overtaken by technology (mostly the jet) and only 90 were built.
Submitted by NMG
