 Supermarine Seafang FR 31, Naval version of the Spiteful.

Naval camo scheme for SEA, Korea or European theatres in
the Spit 14 and Spit 9 slots.
Original file of Richard 'Gramps'Kaminski

cheers
Ade Kelly 'flying tiger'
mar 2005
 
 Seafang History courtesy Richard 'Gramps' Kaminski

The Type 383 Seafang was designed to specification N.5/45 as a navalised Spiteful which itself was based on the Spitfire Mk XIV mated to a new laminar flow wing. The first step was to add a sting-type arrester hook to Spiteful RB520 and the first Seafang prototype flew in 1946. Unlike the Seafire, the Seafang had an inward retracting main undercarriage. In the event the Seafang was not put into production, since the Seafire F Mk 47 was deemed to be adequate until the first generation of jet fighters was available. 

The F Mark 31 was fitted with the Griffon 61 driving a five bladed propellor. The first of ten (VG471) was delivered to the RAE on 15 January 1946. Armament comprised four 20mm cannon and provision for two 1,000lb bombs or rockets. 

The F Mark 32 had wing folding, increased fuel capacity and a Griffon 89 driving two three-bladed contra-rotating propellors. Of this variant eight were built but only two were completed and there is doubt about whether the type flew. 

Specifications and production
Mark	Role	Engine	HP	Weight 
lbs	Speed 
mph	Numbers
						
F31	Fighter	Griffon 61	2,035	10,574	470	10
F32	Fighter	Griffon 89	2,350	10,694	475	8

The F Mark 31 was fitted with the Griffon 61 driving a five bladed propellor. The first of ten (VG471) was delivered to the RAE on 15 January 1946. Armament comprised four 20mm cannon and provision for two 1,000lb bombs or rockets. The F Mark 32 had wing folding, increased fuel capacity and a Griffon 89 driving two three-bladed contra-rotating propellors. Of this variant eight were built but only two were completed (VB893 & 895) and there is doubt about whether the type flew.

The Seafang was the navalized version of Supermarine's Spiteful. They were the end of the Spitfire/Seafire line. 17 Spitefuls and 18 Seafangs were built. It is claimed that a Seafang achieved a speed of 494 MPH; making it, if the claim is valid, the fastest propeller driven aircraft ever built in the UK. The Spiteful/Seafang has been aptly described as, "A Spitfire too far." Another distinction it has is that its wing was adopted for Supermarine's Attacker jet fighter. The Seafang was powered by a Rolls Royce Griffon 89 engine driving two three-bladed contra-rotating propellers. This aircraft was the final piston engined naval fighter built by Supermarine. The writing was on the wall - the jets were coming. 

