Seafire (Total: 2,588, Canadian: 41, Group 0)
Supermarine Seafire
Supermarine Seafire Mk. XV, RCN (Serial No. PR548)
The Supermarine Seafire was a naval version of the Supermarine Spitfire adapted for operation from aircraft carriers. It was analogous in concept to the Hawker Sea Hurricane, a navalised version of the Spitfire's stablemate, the Hawker Hurricane. The name Seafire was derived from the abbreviation of the longer name Sea Spitfire.
The idea of adopting a navalised carrier-capable version of the Supermarine Spitfire had been mooted by the Admiralty as early as May 1938. Despite a pressing need to replace various types of obsolete aircraft that were still in operation with the Fleet Air Arm (FAA), some opposed the notion, such as Winston Churchill, although these disputes were often a result of an overriding priority being placed on maximizing production of land-based Spitfires instead. During 1941 and early 1942, the concept was again pushed for by the Admiralty, culminating in an initial batch of Seafire Mk Ib fighters being provided in late 1941, which were mainly used for pilots to gain experience operating the type at sea. While there were concerns over the low strength of its undercarriage, which had not been strengthened like many naval aircraft would have been, its performance was found to be acceptable.
The Royal Canadian Navy and French Aviation Navale also obtained Seafires to operate from ex-Royal Navy aircraft carriers following the end of the Second World War. Canada's Seafire Mk XVs were flown from HMCS Magnificent and HMS Warrior before being replaced by Sea Furies in 1948. Wikipedia
Wikipedia Supermarine Seafire 
Harold A Skaarup Web Page Seafire NF564, Mk III
s/n NF564
Westland
NF 564
Merlin 55
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 25-03-1944885S 08-1944to 10-1944Tested Belfast 20-02-1945709S St.Merryn attempted force-landed in bad visibility crashed burnt out 1m S of Wellington Somerset Cat ZZ 19-05-1945(Lt JA Grogan RCN killed)
last update: 2025-February-05
Seafire NF645, Mk III
s/n NF645
Westland
NF 645
Merlin 55
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 28-04-1944807S floated into barrier Cat X1 15-08-1944(Squadron Leader M La Page) Hook hit rounddown locked up nosed up in barrier Cat Y1 21-08-1944(Squadron Leader PM Lamb)
last update: 2025-February-05Seafire NF661, Mk III
s/n NF661
Westland
NF 661
Merlin 55
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 30-04-1944Tested Arbroath 11-07-1944899S Khedive low level attack on MT flew into hill Fuveaux nr Aix-en-Provence Cat Z 18-08-1944(Squadron Leader DA Cary RCN DoI in Pursuer 21-08-1944)
last update: 2025-February-05Seafire NN324, Mk III
s/n NN324
Westland
NN 324
Merlin 55
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
FF 31-08-1944RNDA 02-09-1944801S 11-1944803S Arbroath ('G') from 15-06-1945Low level advanced formation exercise left formation of 4 over water lost height flew into water BU caught fire 6m 140deg Aberdeen Cat ZZ 30-07-1945(Squadron Leader A Forbes killed)
last update: 2025-February-05Seafire NN516, Mk III
s/n NN516
Cunliffe-Owen
NN 516
Merlin 55
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 31-10-194433MU to 15MU 22-12-1944[or NN518?] 761S Henstridge dived in off turn at 8000ft BU 2m SE of Abbotsbury Cat ZZ 27-05-1945(Mid WI Owen killed)
last update: 2025-February-05
Seafire PR375, Mk XV
s/n PR375
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 375
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 803 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 02-07-1945805S Machrihanish from 09-1945to 11-1945761S Henstridge 10-1945TOC RCN 01-06-1946803S swung to stbd on takeoff struck runway light 03-02-1947(Lt W Rikeley RCN) Prop touched on takeoff 28-02-1947(Squadron Leader AR McBain) 1TAG OFS Dartmouth tail oleo collapsed and strained stbd u/c 11-08-1948(Lt AD Joy RCN) SOC RCN 31-01-1950
last update: 2025-February-05
1950-January-31 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR410, Mk XV
s/n PR410
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 410
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 803 Squadron. Preserved in Canada.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 13-08-1945RDU Culham 14-08-1945
Lee Walsh.
Sent to Fairey Aviation May 1949 and was refurbished and then flown to Mont Hope airport. Used by HMCS Star as an instructional airframe and was towed down to HMCS Star. Remained until 1952-3 when it was transported by rail, along with HMCS York's Seafire PR451 for use at SAIT. Later stored behind Calgary flying club hanger with broken back, and later scrapped.
Lee Walsh CAHS
last update: 2025-February-051954-April-29 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR425, Mk XV
s/n PR425
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 425
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 883 Squadron. Passed through RCAF Station North Bay, Ontario in August 1948.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 22-09-1945RDU Culham 23-09-1945
last update: 2025-February-051949-June-17 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR428, Mk XV
s/n PR428
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 428
Griffon VI
Walker:
Used on board HMCS Warrior.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 13-09-1945RDU Culham 15-09-1945
last update: 2025-February-051947-July-12 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR434, Mk XV
s/n PR434
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 434
Griffon VI
Walker:
Taken on Canadian books on 1 June 1946. Served with 803 Squadron. With VF 871 in 1948, coded "N".
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 26-09-1945RDU Culham 27-09-1945to Canadian Navy
Lee Walsh.SOC May 1949 along with Seafire PR451 and refurbished at Fairey Aviation in Dartmouth. Then flown to Toronto for use as ground instructional aircraft with HMCS York on Toronto Island. Retired approximately 1953 and rumored to have been dumped in Lake Ontario along with York's Swordfish DK790.
last update: 2025-February-05
SOC May 1949 along with Seafire PR451 and refurbished at Fairey Aviation in Dartmouth. Then flown to Toronto for use as ground instructional aircraft with HMCS York on Toronto Island. Retired approximately 1953 and rumored to have been dumped in Lake Ontario along with York's Swordfish DK790.
1949-February-14 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR451, Mk XV
s/n PR451
m/d Type 377
c/n CO.9673
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 451
Griffon VI
Walker:
Taken on Canadian books on 1 June 1946. Served with 803 Squadron. Damaged when it took the barrier on HMCS Warrior on 15 November 1947. Preserved at Abbottsford Institute of Technology.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 04-10-1945RDU Culham 05-10-1945to Canadian Navy. Extant Alberta Institute of Tech Calgary
Lee Walsh
SOC in May 1949 and then refurbished at Fairey Aviation in Dartmouth. Flown to Toronto and used at HMCS York (Mainland) and used as a ground instructional airframe. It was later transferred to SAIT by rail along with Seafire PR410 from HMCS Star in Hamilton. On Display at HMCS Tecumseh in the 1970s outside and was nearly destroyed by fire. Restored to ground running condition at the Calgary Naval Museum.
Lee Walsh CAHS
last update: 2025-February-051949-May-25 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR458, Mk XV
s/n PR458
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 458
Griffon VI
Walker:
Taken on Canadian books on 1 June 1946. Served with 803 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 08-10-1945RDU Culham 09-10-1945to Canadian Navy
last update: 2025-February-051950-January-14 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR460, Mk XV
s/n PR460
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 460
Griffon VI
Walker:
Served with 803 Squadron. Later with the Training Air Group, coded "TG*B".
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 20-10-1945
last update: 2025-February-051949-June-04 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR461, Mk XV
s/n PR461
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 461
Griffon VI
Walker:
Taken on Canadian books on 1 June 1946. Served with 803 Squadron, coded "Z". With this unit when it was the lead aircraft in the RCN 1946 demonstration team, flown by L/C C.G. Watson. With No. 883 Squadron, coded "AA*C", in July 1949. With Special Flight, Training Air Group, at time of crash. A Seafire in the Shearwater Aviation Museum in NS carries these markings, origin unclear.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 05-10-1945RDU Culham 07-10-1945Ayr 29-12-1945[802 Sqn?] to Canadian Navy mid air collisiion with PR502
last update: 2025-February-051949-October-18 Struck off Strength Struck off, after crashing on 24 August 1949. 2019-08-20
Seafire PR470, Mk XV
s/n PR470
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 470
Griffon VI
Walker:
Served with 803 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 11-10-1945to Canadian Navy
last update: 2025-February-051950-January-14 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
Seafire PR471, Mk XV
s/n PR471
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 471
Griffon VI
Walker:
Served with 803 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 20-10-1945RDU Culham 01-11-1945
last update: 2025-February-051947-July-12 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR479, Mk XV
s/n PR479
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 479
Griffon VI
Walker:
Taken on Canadian books on 1 June 1946. Served with 803 Squadron. On board HMCS Warrior in April 1947, with No. 803 Squadron, coded "L". With 833 Squadron when it visited Rivers Camp for armament training in summer of 1948. Marked as "AA*B". Deck accident, date unknown.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 22-11-1945803S Nutts Corner ('P') 11-1945Canadian Navy Dartmouth Nova Scotia VG-AAB
last update: 2025-February-051949-June-04 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR494, Mk XV
s/n PR494
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 494
Griffon VI
Walker:
Taken on Canadian books on 1 June 1946. To RCAF for winter trials. Issued to North West Air Command, tested at the Winter Experimental Establishment at RCAF Namao , Alberta winter of 1946 / 1947. Not clear if this aircraft was ever actually on RCN books.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 30-11-1945RDU Culham 30-11-1945to RCAF Research Dept Edmonton 12-1946winter trials with PR499 u/c damaged during takeoff and land from rough air strips. During trials arrester hook release troublesome repaired 04-11-1949GBP1909/0/2d
last update: 2025-February-051947-April-16 Struck off Strength Struck off, returned to Royal Navy. 2019-08-20
Seafire PR496, Mk XV
s/n PR496
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 496
Griffon VI
Walker:
Collided with another Seafire (SW802?) on 14 April 1947.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 30-11-1945
last update: 2025-February-051949-June-17 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR498, Mk XV
s/n PR498
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 498
Griffon VI
Walker:
Taken on Canadian books on 1 June 1946. Served with 803 Squadron. Operated from HMCS Warrior.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 04-12-1945to Canadian Navy
last update: 2025-February-051950-February-01 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR499, Mk XV
s/n PR499
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 499
Griffon VI
Walker:
Used by 803 Squadron while in the UK, dates unclear. Taken on Canadian books on 1 June 1946. To RCAF for winter trials. Issued to North West Air Command, tested at the Winter Experimental Establishment at RCAF Namao , Alberta winter of 1946 / 1947. Not clear if this aircraft was ever actually on RCN books.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 28-11-1945to RCAF Edmonton as per PR494
last update: 2025-February-051947-April-16 Struck off Strength Struck off, returned to Royal navy. 2019-08-20
Seafire PR500, Mk XV
s/n PR500
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 500
Griffon VI
Walker:
Served with 803 Squadron. By November 1947 with the Training Air Group, coded "TG*D".
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 13-11-1945
Walsh L
March 17, 1946 at RCNAS Shearwater when Lt. (P) Sinclair took a shortcut while taxing and clipped an apron light, damaged the prop and ended up going into the grass and nosing the a/c over. Aircraft with No. 803 Squadron.
July 15, 1946 while on board HMCS WARRIOR with Lt. (P) M. Douglas damaging the port wing and undercarriage on a deck landing July 15, 1946. Aircraft attached to No. 803 Squadron.
December 7, 1948 the last flight of PR500 (attached to No. 1 Training Air Group TAG) was with Lt. (P) Stewart who as in formation with 3 other Seafires when Seafire SW809 flown by Lt. J. (P) Campbell stuck Stewart's aircraft tearing the tailplane off and crashed into the Halifax harbor just off George's Island. Both aircraft and pilot were never found.
Lee Walsh CAHS Toronto Chapter
last update: 2025-February-051947-July-12 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR501, Mk XV
s/n PR501
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 501
Griffon VI
Walker:
Classified as instructional airframe on 23 October 1948
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 14-01-1946
last update: 2025-February-051948-September-14 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
Seafire PR502, Mk XV
s/n PR502
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 502
Griffon VI
Walker:
With Special Flight, Training Air Group, at time of crash.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 18-01-1946to Canadian Navy mid air collision with PR461
last update: 2025-February-051949-October-18 Struck off Strength Struck off, after crashing on 24 August 1949. 2019-08-20
Seafire PR503, Mk XV
s/n PR503
m/d Type 377
c/n Co.9712
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 503
Griffon VI
Walker:
Taken on Canadian books on 1 June 1946. Served with 803 Squadron. Was preserved in Canada. Hamilton, registered as C-GCWK
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 07-12-1945to Canadian Navy extant Hamilton Ontario Canada as C-GCWK
last update: 2025-February-051950-April-05 Struck off Strength Struck off, later sold. 2019-08-20
Seafire PR504, Mk XV
s/n PR504
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 504
Griffon VI
Walker:
Served with 803 Squadron. Coded "L", operated from HMCS Warrior. With No. 883 Squadron in August 1948, coded "AA*D", when it passed through RCAF Station North Bay, Ontario.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 07-01-1946
last update: 2025-February-051950-February-01 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR505, Mk XV
s/n PR505
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 505
Griffon VI
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 22-01-1946RDU Culham 28-01-1946
last update: 2025-February-051948-September-24 Struck off Strength Struck off, after Category A crash at Dartmouth on 22 October 1947. 2020-09-29
Seafire PR506, Mk XV
s/n PR506
m/d Type 377
Cunliffe-Owen
PR 506
Griffon VI
Walker:
Operated from HMCS Warrior.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 09-01-1946
last update: 2025-February-051950-November-27 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SR459, Mk XV
s/n SR459
m/d Type 377
Westland
SR 459
Griffon VI
Walker:
Arrived in Canada damaged. Scrapped, never repaired.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 03-02-1945VA High Post 03-1945to 05-1945Norfolk Va to USNAS Flight Test Center Patuxent River 22-06-1945to 08-1945
last update: 2025-February-051947-August-11 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SR464, Mk XV
s/n SR464
m/d Type 377
Westland
SR 464
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 803 Squadron, on board HMCS Warrior.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 10-02-194533MU 21-02-1945Donibristle store to AHU Abbotsinch 08-08-1945802S 11-1945
last update: 2025-February-051949-May-21 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SR482, Mk XV
s/n SR482
Westland
SR 482
Griffon VI
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 29-05-1945803S Nutts Corner ('H') 08-1945Collided SW850 in formation crashed on hillside in low cloud 7m SW of Cushendall Co Antrim Cat ZZ 02-10-1945(Sub L LP Wade killed)
last update: 2025-February-05
Seafire SR530, Mk XV
s/n SR530
m/d Type 377
Westland
SR 530
Griffon VI
Walker:
Probably transiting to or from Rivers Camp, Manitoba at time of crash.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 30-04-1945Tested VA Eastleigh 18-05-1945RDU Culham to Yeovilton 01-10-1945
last update: 2025-February-051949-January-04 Struck off Strength Struck off, after Category A crash at Traverse City, Michigan. 2019-08-20
Seafire SR545, Mk XV
s/n SR545
m/d Type 377
Westland
SR 545
Griffon VI
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 23-11-1945
last update: 2025-February-051947-April-22 Struck off Strength Struck off, after Category A crash at Dartmouth on 15 December 1946. 2019-08-20
Seafire SW793, Mk XV
s/n SW793
m/d Type 377
Westland
SW 793
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 883 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
SF RNDA 03-06-1945C Sqdn AAEE 03-07-1945trials with R/T Type AN/MPX-1 of American manufacture RDU Culham 15-12-1945
last update: 2025-February-051950-January-18 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SW802, Mk XV
s/n SW802
m/d Type 377
Westland
SW 802
Griffon VI
Walker:
Operated on board HMCS Warrior by 10 Group.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 04-07-194539MU Colerne engine touble landed safely on airfield Cat AR 10-08-1945(F/Lt GCH Rogers RAF OK)
last update: 2025-February-051951-May-09 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SW809, Mk XV
s/n SW809
m/d Type 377
Westland
SW 809
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 803 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 14-07-1945802S Ayr from 09-1945to 11-1945
last update: 2025-February-051949-June-17 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SW815, Mk XV
s/n SW815
m/d Type 377
Westland
SW 815
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 803 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 13-07-1945802S Ayr 09-1945to 02-1946engine failure over sea 07-09-1945(Squadron Leader HJ Little RNZN)
last update: 2025-February-051947-July-12 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SW860, Mk XV
s/n SW860
m/d Type 377
Westland
SW 860
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 883 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 28-07-1945RDU Culham 07-1945AHU Stretton 22-10-1945
last update: 2025-February-051947-July-17 Repair / Modification Factory installed engine: 40464/502177 2024-03-31
1947-July-22 Landing Accident 803 Squadron HMCS Warrior. Lt. J.W. Logan of 803 Squadron while on approach suffered rough landing, ran over wires and caught 5th wire crashing into first barrier. Engine cowl broken, engine shocked beyond load limit. 2024-04-01
1947-December-09 Repair / Modification CA Engine replaced 40204/A502045 2024-03-31
1948-May-13 Damaged During Flight RCNAS Dartmouth. Lt. T.E.J Boyle 883 Squadron markings VG-AAH experienced a cannon mis-fire in starboard wing during air to ground firing exercises and noticed wing panels had buckled. Upon landing and ground inspection the wing plating and structure had suffered serious damage in gun bay. 2024-04-01
1948-September Unspecified 883 Squadron CJTAC Rivers Manitoba visiting 2024-04-01
1949-June-17 Struck off Strength 2024-03-31
1949-June-18 Airframe Time approx 226hours TFT 2024-04-01
1949-July to Storage possibly in storage at Fairey Aviation 2024-04-01
Seafire SW869, Mk XV
s/n SW869
m/d Type 377
Westland
SW 869
Griffon VI
Walker:
Operated on board HMCS Warrior by 10 Group.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 02-08-1945
last update: 2025-February-051950-January-31 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SW870, Mk XV
s/n SW870
m/d Type 377
Westland
SW 870
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 803 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 01-08-1945
last update: 2025-February-051950-January-18 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SW909, Mk XV
s/n SW909
m/d Type 377
Westland
SW 909
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 883 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 31-08-1945883S Nutts Corner from 12-1945
last update: 2025-February-051950-January-31 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20