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Last update:
12/13/2011
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Supermarine Seafang F.32 |
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Scale 1:33 |
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Author: Lukasz Fuczek |
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File Size: 17.3Mb |
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Please take a look at
Our Offer page before placing an
order. |
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Supermarine Seafang F.32
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Price $10.00 |
Model # 061 |
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If ordering a CD, please
add $5.75
for Shipping & Handling. One charge per order. |
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Technical data: |
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Length |
10.39 m |
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Span |
10.67 m |
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Engine |
1 x Rolls Royce Griffon 89 V12
liquid cooled engine, 2,350hp |
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Max Speed |
765 km/h |
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Armament |
4 x 20mm Hispano Mk V cannons, 2 x
454kg bombs or 4 x 27kg rockets |
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Crew |
1 |
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The Seafang was essentially a Spiteful redesigned for
Royal Navy
carrier
use, with the addition of an
arrestor hook
and with a
contra-rotating
propeller to eliminate engine
torque
effects and power folding outer wing panels.
Two prototype Type 396
Seafang Mark 32s were ordered on 12 March 1945 followed by an order for
150 Type 382 Seafang Mark 31s on 7 May 1945. To expedite entry into
service the interim Mark 31 was ordered which was a navalised Spiteful,
basically a Spiteful with an
arrestor hook.
This would allow the Mark 32 to be developed, it would be the definitive
naval variant, again with a
arrestor hook
but also folding outer wing panels and a
contra-rotating
propeller.
The
first Seafang flew in 1946 was the first Interim production Mark 31
VG471. Although 150 of the interim variant were ordered only nine were
completed before the order was cancelled as the urgency of an interim
type was removed due to the end of the war.
The first prototype definitive Mark 32
VB895 was first flown in June 1946 it was powered by a Griffon 89 engine
rated at 2,350 hp (1,752 kW) driving two three-bladed contra rotating
propellers. In August 1946 VB895 was demonstrated to the
Royal Netherlands Navy
at Valkeberg. The same aircraft was flown by noted test pilot
Mike Lithgow
in May 1947 during deck landing trials on
HMS Illustrious. Compared to
the Seafire F.47, its performance advantage was not deemed to be enough
to disrupt series production of new navalised
Meteor and
Vampire jet
fighters. Also, the Seafang's low speed handling characteristics were
not as good as hoped, and the contemporary
Hawker Sea Fury
was preferred as a fleet fighter.
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Model built and photographed by the Author. Used with
permission. |
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