SUPERMARINE SEAFIRE
(Griffon, fighter)
- Naval interest in a Griffon-engined Supermarine Seafire emerged early in 1943 and
a contract was placed in March that year for three prototypes, with three
more ordered in May. Operational Requirement OR. 113 set out the performance
targets and Specification N.4/43 indicated that the aircraft should combine
Griffon VI engine and forward fuselage of Spitfire XII with rear fuselage,
tail unit and u/c of Spitfire VIII and wings of Supermarine Seafire III.
Supermarine Seafire F Mk XV: Designation of first Griffon-engined
Supermarine Seafire variant (Super-marine Type 377), conforming to Specification
N.4/43. Prototype (NS487) completed December 1943 with Griffon VI and
'A'-frame hook, as standardised for early-production type. Second prototype
(NS490) tested 'sting'-type arrester hook, adopted for final production
batches. Production total 434 by Westland (250) and Cunliffe Owen (184).
Deliveries began March 1945; no wartime service. Max speed, 383 mph
(616 km/h) at 13,500ft (4,115m). Gross weight, 8,000 Ib (3,629 kg). Span,
36ft 10 in (11.23 m). Length, 32 ft 3 in (9.90m).
Supermarine Seafire F Mk XVII: Similar to F Mk XV, with
cut-down rear fuselage and 360-deg vision canopy. Second Mk XV prototype
converted to Mk XVII prototype, early 1945. Production (Supermarine Type
386) switched from Mk XV to Mk XVII, and 232 built, but all service post-war,
as was camera-equipped Supermarine Seafire FR Mk XVII.
Supermarine Seafire F Mk XVIII: Proposed armed photo-recce
variant of F Mk XVII with Griffon 37 engine. One prototype ordered (Supermarine
Type 395), not completed.
Supermarine Seafire F Mk 45: Navalised variant of Spitfire
F Mk 21, to meet OR. 167 and as defined by Specification N.7/44. Three
prototypes ordered August 1944, to be converted from Spitfire F Mk 21
airframes built by CBAF. First prototype (TM379) flown October 1944, with
2,035 hp Griffon 61 engine and five-bladed propeller; armament, four 20-mm
cannon. Also flown with Griffon 87 and contra-prop. Production plans reduced
to 50 aircraft (Supermarine Type 388) when war ended; first completed
January 1945. No wartime service. Supermarine Seafire F Mk 46 and F Mk
47 were post-war developments.
