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 PageCASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (35), Canadian Aircraft Losses (5)Seafire NF564
Westland
Mk III
Merlin 55
Known Squadron Assignments: ;709
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 25-03-1944 885S 08-1944 to 10-1944 Tested Belfast 20-02-1945 709S 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)
1945-May-19 KIA RCNVR Lieutenant Jack Armstrong Grogan 2021-08-09Seafire NF645
Westland
Mk III
Merlin 55
Known Squadron Assignments: ;22
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 28-04-1944 807S floated into barrier Cat X1 15-08-1944 (S/L M La Page) Hook hit rounddown locked up nosed up in barrier Cat Y1 21-08-1944 (S/L PM Lamb)
Seafire NF661
Westland
Mk III
Merlin 55
Known Squadron Assignments: ;899
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 30-04-1944 Tested Arbroath 11-07-1944 899S Khedive low level attack on MT flew into hill Fuveaux nr Aix-en-Provence Cat Z 18-08-1944 (S/L DA Cary RCN DoI in Pursuer 21-08-1944 )
1944-August-18 KIA RCNVR Sub-Lieutenant (Acting) David Arthur Cary 2024-01-16Seafire NN324
Westland
Mk III
Merlin 55
Known Squadron Assignments: ;803
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
FF 31-08-1944 RNDA 02-09-1944 801S 11-1944 803S Arbroath ('G') from 15-06-1945 Low 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 (S/L A Forbes killed)
1945-July-30 KIA RNVR FAA Sub-Lieutenant Andrew Sinclair Forbes 2022-08-17Seafire NN516
Cunliffe Owen
Mk III
Merlin 55
Known Squadron Assignments: ;761
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 31-10-1944 33MU 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)
1945-May-27 KIA RNVR FAA Sub-Lieutenant Wilfred Adris Owen 2021-05-02Seafire PR375
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 803 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 02-07-1945 805S Machrihanish from 09-1945 to 11-1945 761S Henstridge 10-1945 TOC RCN 01-06-1946 803S swung to stbd on takeoff struck runway light 03-02-1947 (Lt W Rikeley RCN) Prop touched on takeoff 28-02-1947 (S/L 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
0000-01-01
RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1950-January-31 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR410
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 803 Squadron. Preserved in Canada.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 13-08-1945 RDU 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
2023-02-03 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1954-April-29 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR425
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 883 Squadron. Passed through RCAF Station North Bay, Ontario in August 1948.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 22-09-1945 RDU Culham 23-09-1945
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-November-07 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1949-June-17 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR428
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
Used on board HMCS Warrior.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 13-09-1945 RDU Culham 15-09-1945
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-November-07 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1947-July-12 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR434
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
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 26-09-1945 RDU Culham 27-09-1945 to 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.
Lee Walsh CAHS
2023-02-03SOC 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.
RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1949-February-14 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR451
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
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 04-10-1945 RDU Culham 05-10-1945 to 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
2023-02-03 RCAF Aircraft Record Card RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1949-May-25 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR458
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
Taken on Canadian books on 1 June 1946. Served with 803 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 08-10-1945 RDU Culham 09-10-1945 to Canadian Navy
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1950-January-14 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR460
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
Served with 803 Squadron. Later with the Training Air Group, coded "TG*B".
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 20-10-1945
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1949-June-04 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR461
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
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 05-10-1945 RDU Culham 07-10-1945 Ayr 29-12-1945 [802 Sqn?] to Canadian Navy mid air collisiion with PR502
2012-07-06 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1949-October-18 Struck off Strength Struck off, after crashing on 24 August 1949. 2019-08-20
1949-August-23 KIFA RCN Acting Lieutenant-Commandeer Clifford Gordon Watson 2023-04-04Seafire PR470
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
Served with 803 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 11-10-1945 to Canadian Navy
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1950-January-14 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
Seafire PR471
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
Served with 803 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 20-10-1945 RDU Culham 01-11-1945
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1947-July-12 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR479
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
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 22-11-1945 803S Nutts Corner ('P') 11-1945 Canadian Navy Dartmouth Nova Scotia VG-AAB
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1949-June-04 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR494
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
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 30-11-1945 RDU Culham 30-11-1945 to RCAF Research Dept Edmonton 12-1946 winter trials with PR499 u/c damaged during takeoff and land from rough air strips. During trials arrester hook release troublesome repaired 04-11-1949 GBP1909/0/2d
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1947-April-16 Struck off Strength Struck off, returned to Royal Navy. 2019-08-20
Seafire PR496
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
Collided with another Seafire (SW802?) on 14 April 1947.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 30-11-1945
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1949-June-17 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR498
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
Taken on Canadian books on 1 June 1946. Served with 803 Squadron. Operated from HMCS Warrior.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 04-12-1945 to Canadian Navy
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1950-February-01 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR499
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
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 28-11-1945 to RCAF Edmonton as per PR494
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1947-April-16 Struck off Strength Struck off, returned to Royal navy. 2019-08-20
Seafire PR500
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
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
2023-02-03 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1947-July-12 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR501
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
Classified as instructional airframe on 23 October 1948
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 14-01-1946
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1948-September-14 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
Seafire PR502
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
With Special Flight, Training Air Group, at time of crash.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 18-01-1946 to Canadian Navy mid air collision with PR461
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1949-October-18 Struck off Strength Struck off, after crashing on 24 August 1949. 2019-08-20
1949-August-23 KIFA RCN Lieutenant Alfred Charles Elton 2023-04-04Seafire PR503
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
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 07-12-1945 to Canadian Navy extant Hamilton Ontario Canada as C-GCWK
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1950-April-05 Struck off Strength Struck off, later sold. 2019-08-20
Seafire PR504
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
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
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1950-February-01 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire PR505
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
Griffon VI
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 22-01-1946 RDU Culham 28-01-1946
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1948-September-24 Struck off Strength Struck off, after Category A crash at Dartmouth on 22 October 1947. 2020-09-29
1947-October-16 KIFA RCN Acting Lieutenant Alexander Lees Warren 2023-04-04Seafire PR506
Cunliffe Owen
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
Operated from HMCS Warrior.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 09-01-1946
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1950-November-27 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SR459
Westland
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
Arrived in Canada damaged. Scrapped, never repaired.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 03-02-1945 VA High Post 03-1945 to 05-1945 Norfolk Va to USNAS Flight Test Center Patuxent River 22-06-1945 to 08-1945
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-July-16 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1947-August-11 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SR464
Westland
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 803 Squadron, on board HMCS Warrior.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 10-02-1945 33MU 21-02-1945 Donibristle store to AHU Abbotsinch 08-08-1945 802S 11-1945
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1949-May-21 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SR482
Westland
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Known Squadron Assignments: ;803
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 29-05-1945 803S Nutts Corner ('H') 08-1945 Collided 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)
2023-05-011945-October-02 KIFA RCNVR L P Wade 2023-05-01
Seafire SR530
Westland
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
Probably transiting to or from Rivers Camp, Manitoba at time of crash.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 30-04-1945 Tested VA Eastleigh 18-05-1945 RDU Culham to Yeovilton 01-10-1945
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1949-January-04 Struck off Strength Struck off, after Category A crash at Traverse City, Michigan. 2019-08-20
1948-October-13 KIFA RCN Lieutenant Joseph Thomas Murphy 2022-12-12Seafire SR545
Westland
Mk XV
Griffon VI
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 23-11-1945
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1947-April-22 Struck off Strength Struck off, after Category A crash at Dartmouth on 15 December 1946. 2019-08-20
Seafire SW793
Westland
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 883 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
SF RNDA 03-06-1945 C Sqdn AAEE 03-07-1945 trials with R/T Type AN/MPX-1 of American manufacture RDU Culham 15-12-1945
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1950-January-18 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SW802
Westland
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
Operated on board HMCS Warrior by 10 Group.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 04-07-1945 39MU Colerne engine touble landed safely on airfield Cat AR 10-08-1945 (F/Lt GCH Rogers RAF OK)
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1951-May-09 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SW809
Westland
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 803 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 14-07-1945 802S Ayr from 09-1945 to 11-1945
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1949-June-17 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SW815
Westland
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 803 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 13-07-1945 802S Ayr 09-1945 to 02-1946 engine failure over sea 07-09-1945 (S/L HJ Little RNZN)
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1947-July-12 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SW860
Westland
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 883 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 28-07-1945 RDU Culham 07-1945 AHU Stretton 22-10-1945
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1947-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
Westland
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
Operated on board HMCS Warrior by 10 Group.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 02-08-1945
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1950-January-31 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SW870
Westland
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 803 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 01-08-1945
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-May-25 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1950-January-18 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Seafire SW909
Westland
Mk XV
Griffon VI
Walker:
With 883 Squadron.
airhistory.org.uk/spitfire
RNDA 31-08-1945 883S Nutts Corner from 12-1945
0000-01-01 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1946-June-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1950-January-31 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
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