Supermarine Seafang
Supermarine · United Kingdom · first flew 1946 · fighter
The Supermarine Seafang was a Royal Navy carrier-based fighter derived from the Spiteful, itself an evolution of the Spitfire with a new laminar-flow wing. It represented the pinnacle of British piston-engine naval fighter design.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, elliptical |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.39 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Carrier-capable naval development of the Spiteful
- Folding wings for carrier stowage
- Contra-rotating propeller to counter torque at high power
Distinguished from the Spitfire family by its straight-tapered wing replacing the elliptical Spitfire planform, folding outer wing panels, and a large six-blade contra-rotating propeller.
Specifications
- The Supermarine Seafang has a length of 10.39 m (34 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.67 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 764 km/h (475 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed too late for World War II and quickly overtaken by jet aircraft, only a handful of Seafangs were completed before the programme was cancelled in 1947. It featured folding wings for carrier operation and a Rolls-Royce Griffon engine with contra-rotating propellers to manage its considerable power.
Variants
The Seafang F.31 and F.32 were the main variants, the latter featuring folding wings and a contra-rotating propeller unit.
Where you'll see it
Never entered front-line Royal Navy service; the few aircraft completed were used only for evaluation and trials before the type was abandoned in favour of jet fighters.
Related aircraft
- Supermarine Attacker
- Supermarine Seafire Mk 47
- Supermarine Spitfire Mk 24
- Supermarine Seafire Mk XV
- Avia S-92
- Commonwealth CA-15
- Hughes XF-11
- Junkers EF 126
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