Supermarine Seafang

The Supermarine Seafang was the Royal Navy’s final attempt to marry the legendary elegance of the Spitfire lineage with the demanding needs of carrier‑based aviation. Developed by Supermarine in the mid‑1940s, the Seafang originated from the Spiteful airframe, itself an evolution of the Spitfire’s wing design. The prototype first flew on 24 April 1945, and two main variants emerged: the Seafang F.1, powered by the Rolls‑Royce Griffon 85 producing 2,000 hp, and the later F.2, equipped with a more powerful Griffon 89 and a six‑bladed propeller.

Key features included a laminar‑flow wing with a reduced thickness‑to‑chord ratio, a reinforced fuselage with a catapult‑launch hook, and an all‑metal, foldable wing structure designed for carrier storage. The aircraft boasted a top speed of roughly 470 mph at sea level, an improved climb rate, and armament consisting of four 20 mm Hispano cannons with provisions for rockets or bombs.

Although the Seafang entered limited service with the Fleet Air Arm, it never saw combat; the arrival of jet‑powered fighters such as the de Havilland Sea Vampire rendered it obsolete. Nevertheless, the Seafang represents the apex of piston‑engine carrier fighter design and illustrates Supermarine’s relentless pursuit of performance, bridging the gap between wartime propeller aircraft and the jet age.

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