Identity crisis

[Woodlouse2002]

Tempest, going by what you say we all have to bow down and say the caption is correct. And as I said the only way to prove this is to get the guy who took the photo to verify that. Intill then it is perfectly possible to say that the caption is wrong. Your bit about the theatre stripes may well be true. But I must point out to you that the picture is in black and white. So the stripes could be any colour...

Anyway, Hagar has just brought up an interesting point with me. Maybe the SeafireII is being handed in and the aircraft in the distance are the squadrons replacement SeafireIII's. Then it would be perfectly reasonable for the photo to be in Normandy. But then we get back to the tin hat...

[Hagar]

I've enjoyed it too although we don't seem to agree on this one. I've found out a lot of stuff about the Seafire I didn't know before. I suppose we will never know the answer to this particular question.

I think that silly tin hat is a red herring myself. It could have come from anywhere & is not necessarily a clue.

PS. Ozzy said the base in the photo is in France. He didn't specify Normandy & France is a big country. It's quite possible it's a temporary MU set up for distributing new types to the squadrons.

[d0mokun]

i think.. i think its a plane. a prop plane of the fighter variety. hah.

dano  ::)

[Sam 400]

It's definately not a Spitfire as the ends of the wings are square cut so there for its a clipper. Any brownie points?? Cant say any more than that. Sam

[HawkerTempest5]

It's definately not a Spitfire as the ends of the wings are square cut so there for its a clipper. Any brownie points?? Cant say any more than that. Sam

You're right, it's not a Spitfire, it's a Seafire Sorry no brownie points though. Oh, and lots Spits had clipped wings

[Sam 400]

What's the difference between a spitfire and a seafire then as thel both look very similar! Sam

[HawkerTempest5]

What's the difference between a spitfire and a seafire then as thel both look very similar! Sam

Essentially they are the same, however the Seafire has been Navalised. It has an arrestor hook, strengthened rear fuselage and catapult spools fitted. Some also had anchor points for RATO packs.
The first Seafire, the MkIb was a modified Spitfire MkVb. It had no wing fold. The first purpose built Seafire was the MkIIc. Still no folding wing but had all the other Navalisation fittings. The first folding wing variation was the L MkIIIc. The first Griffon Seafire was the MkXV and this was based upon the MkXII. These are the only variations that saw service during WW2.
The Seafire in the photo is a MkIIc. Although you cannot see the arrestor hook, it clearly has a six-stack exhaust and a clipped C wing and these features make it a IIc.
Hope that clears it up a bit

[Hagar]

Hope I'm not adding to the confusion. Here's a photo of a Seafire L MkIIIc. Note the arrester hook, clipped wingtips & 4 bladed prop.

[HawkerTempest5]

Nice try Hagar old chap I'm 99.9% certain that is a IIc. Let me explain. Later clipped IIcs had Four bladed props. Also, it is thought that all IIIs were built without Cannon stubs and you can clearly see these on your photo. However I have a picture here of Seafire MkLIIIc LR838 with cannon stubs and a picture of NF547 with clipped wings and I am led to understand that all III had full wings??? I love this aircraft
Keep the theories coming guys as I am really into Seafires just now and am looking for information for a couple of modelling projects.

[Hagar]

LOL Maybe you're right Tempest. I ain't no expert on Seafires but I'm learning more every day.

Not sure where I found that pic now. I'm sure the caption says it's a MkIII.

[Hagar]

I found the page. It definitely says it's a Mk III.
http://www.supermarine-spitfire.co.uk/supermarine_seafire.html
Maybe one of the Westland-built hybrid variants with the Merlin 55 but without folding wings. I believe these were later redesignated as MkII.

Meanwhile, here's another nice pic. Taken on HMS Formidable in Jan 1943. I keep meaning to ask Pip what happened to the one one he used as a sig before he went all patriotic.



PS. I just noticed these have the tropical air filters.

[HawkerTempest5]

Hagar old chap, you are quite correct about the Hybrid IIIcs and that may well explain the first pic. That photo you just posted is of some real value to me. The Seafire in the forground on the left is MkIb MB345, the subject of my first Seafire model Notice how the second aircraft has the full 885 NAS squadron codes and the other two just have the aircraft letter. That looks like a nasty hole in the engine cover on MB345, wounder what that is?

[Hagar]

Hagar old chap, you are quite correct about the Hybrid IIIcs and that may well explain the first pic. That photo you just posted is of some real value to me. The Seafire in the forground on the left is MkIb MB345, the subject of my first Seafire model

Well how about that. Glad to help.

Notice how the second aircraft has the full 885 NAS squadron codes and the other two just have the aircraft letter. That looks like a nasty hole in the engine cover on MB345, wounder what that is?

I did spot the difference in codes but missed the big hole. That looks a tad too close for comfort. LOL

[Sam 400]

Thanks for all the info, i'll share it with my mate who's a bit of a spitfire fanatic. Cheers for all the help guys. Sam