Profile 5: Supermarine Seafire Mk.Ib to Mk.47

Following the relatively successful adaption of the RAF's Hurricane for the Fleet Air Arm the Admiralty next turned its attentions to the Spitfire. However, despite valiant attempts at localised strengthening of the airframe for the harsh treatment of landing on a pitching carrier the aircraft failed to develop in to a natural carrier-borne fighter. Its relatively narrow track undercarriage and tendency to suffer prop strikes on landing meant that until the Griffon engine was introduced on the Mk.XVII the renamed Seafire often caused more problems than it solved!

Despite its troubled beginnings the Seafire eventually became "world class" in its final variant, the FR Mk.47. We hope that this book provides a fitting tribute to this very unique aeroplane.