In the break of 1939 and 1940 Admiralty decided to orde naval versions of Spitfire that should feature folding wings. Supermarine Type 338 Project was to be powered by Griffon engine and the wings should fold up along the fuselage. The order for 50 aircraft was cancelled since Great Britain hardly needed every Spitfire MK.I. Naval pilots finally received their Seafires (code name for the naval version of Spitfire) with folding wings much later. The first 48 Spitfire MK.Vb was modified by addition of landing hook and naval radio set into so called hooked spitfires. These machines served for training purposes only. The onwards machines were fully equipped for carrier service. These machines were modified of Seafire ,this time designated MK.IIc was originated. According to the engine used, particular versions were designated L.MK.IIc for low altitude fighter ,standard altitude MK.IIc and fighter reconnaissance LR MK.IIC ,Royal Navy deployed these version during landings in Africa an Italy but also during Atlantic and later Indian Ocean missions. Seafire MK.II was powerful fighter but limited in range and by fragile undercarriage. also the carrier handling was limited by on folding wing and therefore version MK.II was subsequently replaced by MK.III with folding wings.
Britse Royal Navy gevechtsvliegtuig uit de tweede wereld oorlog.
Vier uitvoeringen mogelijk;
- Seafire Mk.IIc, MB218/S-A, pilot Major Al.Wright, RM No.809 NAS, HMS Unicom, September 1943.
- Seafire L Mk.IIC, LR642/8-M, No.807 NAS, HMS Battler, September 1943.
- Seafire Mk.IIC, MB156/06-F, pilot Sub.Lt.J.D.Buchana, No.885 NAS, HMS Formidable, December 1942.
- Seafire Mk.IIC, MB156/06-F, pilot Sub.Lt.J.D.Buchana, No.885 NAS, HMS Formidable, November 1942.
