Supermarine Seafire

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (RCN Photo via James Craik)
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 Mk XV PR500

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