Warplanes of the UK: Supermarine Seafang fighter

Supermarine Seafang

(BAE Photo)

Supermarine Seafang prototype (Serial No. RB520)

The Supermarine Seafang was a British Rolls-Royce Griffon–engined fighter aircraft designed by Supermarine to Air Ministry specification N.5/45 for naval use. It was based on the Spiteful, which was a development of Supermarine's Griffon-engined Spitfire aircraft. By that time the Spitfire was a 10-year-old design in a period of rapid technical development in aviation. The Seafang was outmoded by jet aircraft, and only 18 were built.

The Seafang was essentially a Spiteful redesigned for Royal Navy carrier use, with the addition of an arrester hook, a contra-rotating propeller to eliminate engine torque effects, and power folding outer wing panels. Two prototype Type 396 Seafang Mark 32s were ordered on 12 March 1945 followed by an order for 150 Type 382 Seafang Mark 31s on 7 May 1945.[2] To expedite entry into service the interim Mark 31 was ordered which was a navalised Spiteful, basically a Spiteful with an arrestor hook added. This would allow the Mark 32 to be developed; it would be the definitive naval variant, with the folding outer wings and contra-rotating propeller.

The first Seafang flew in 1946; it was the first interim production Mark 31 VG471. Although 150 of the interim variant were ordered, only nine were completed before the order was cancelled as the urgency of an interim type was removed due to the end of the war. The first prototype Mark 32 VB895 was first flown in June 1946. It was powered by a Griffon 89 engine rated at 2,350 hp (1,750 kW) driving two three-bladed contra-rotating propellers. In August 1946, VB895 was demonstrated to the Royal Netherlands Navy at Valkenburg.[2] The same aircraft was flown by test pilot Mike Lithgow in May 1947, during deck landing trials on HMS Illustrious.[2] Compared to the Seafire F.47, its performance advantage was not deemed to be enough to disrupt series production of new navalised Gloster Meteor and de Havilland Vampire jet fighters. Also, the Seafang's low-speed handling characteristics were not as good as hoped, and the contemporary Hawker Sea Fury was preferred as a fleet fighter.

Seafang Mark 31 VG474 was used as a development aircraft for the Supermarine Attacker jet, receiving power-operated ailerons[3] and contra-rotating propellers.[2] The Attacker was a jet design which used the Spiteful laminar-flow wing and landing gear. (Wikipedia)

Type 382 Seafang F Mk.31 Interim production variant with a 2,375 hp Griffon 61 engine, five-bladed constant-speed Rotol airscrew. 150 ordered but only 9 built; the rest were cancelled.

‍Type 396 Seafang F Mk.32 Two prototypes built powered by a 2,350 hp (1,752 kW) Griffon 89 piston engine, folding wings, increased fuel capacity, dual contra-rotating 3-bladed propellers.

(IWM Photo, ATP 14852C)

One of two Supermarine Seafang F.32 (Serial No. VB895). The F.32 had folding wings, increased fuel capacity and a 2,350 hp Rolls-Royce Griffon 89 engine, driving two three bladed contra rotating propellers.

(RAF Photo)

The side view of Supermarine Seafang (Serial No. VG471) illustrates many of the aircraft’s features: long intake scoop, straight wing edges, radiator scoop doors, rounded windscreen, bubble canopy, large tail, and arrestor hook.

(RAF Photo)

The Seafang F.32 prototype (Serial No. VB895) was the first fully-navalized aircraft of the series. The contra-rotating propellers eliminated the torque effect that led to the downfall of many aviators, especially when operating from the short deck of an aircraft carrier.

(RAF Photo)

The folding wings on Seafang VB895 were hydraulically operated and decreased the aircraft’s wingspan by 8 ft (2.4 m). Although, the wide tack landing gear contributed to snaking at low speeds, it enhanced the stability at higher speeds and as the aircraft slammed down on a carrier deck.

(BAE Photo)

Supermarine Seafang.

(BAE Photo)

Supermarine Seafang (Serial No. VB895), test-flown from Hursley Park, Eastleigh and Boscombe Down, 13 December 1946.