Author Topic: Sharksmouth Seafire (Read 3183 times)

Krusty · « **Reply #15 on:** June 13, 2006, 12:19:46 PM »

Weren't most seafires clipped wings, to save room on the hangar deck?

Kev367th · « **Reply #16 on:** June 13, 2006, 12:54:30 PM »

Good question Krusty -

As the L III's wings folded in a "Z" shape it wouldn't apply to them, although a lot of them seem to be clipped.

Wings folded - Just inboard of the 20mm cannon, and at the wingtip attachment point, i.e. where they would typically change the tip types on Spits.

Very small amount of early III's (hybrid IIc) had fixed wings.

IIc's - Clipping evidence on the Merlin 32 ones, none yet for Merlin 46 ones.

So I guess I don't know, maybe as was common in the RAF the FAA units did it on a case by case basis.

Best guess judging by pics -
F IIc's with Merlin 46 (3 blade prop, 3 exhaust stacks), yet to see one clipped.
L IIc's with Merlin 32, (4 blade prop, 6 exhaust stacks) plenty of pics of clipped ones.
L III's, plenty of pics of clipped ones.

Common link - L IIc and L III had the low alt version of the Merlin. Although as with Spits it's noway a hard and fast rule.

Seafire L III with wing folded -

Guppy35 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 13, 2006, 01:08:16 PM »

According to the Brown book, the Seafires, in particular the LIIc and LIII were meant for the low alt work of intercepting raiders etc. The Hellcats and Corsairs were better suited to the medium to high alt stuff so the Seafires were optimised for the low alt role.

It also says that clipping of wings was left to the squadron commanders and could be easily accomplished at the squadron level. Again, as with any mention of the clipped wing, it had a lot to do with roll rate and the 190.

And regarding the clipped wings. They did not have problems with full span wings on the British carriers because the lifts from the hanger deck were large enough to accomidate them. So the folding with wasn't reall all that neccessary. I suppose for tall those escort carriers later on it helped with storage.

Kev367th · « **Reply #18 on:** June 13, 2006, 01:15:40 PM »

Also explains -

Initial 110 or so IIc fitted with the med/high alt Merlin 46
Rest (260+) with the low/med alt Merlin 32
Mid 1943 onwards the initial 110 refitted with Merlin 32

Initial 10 or so III's produced as F III with med/high alt Merlin.
Rest (1000+) with the low/med alt Merlin 55M.
Initial 10 converted to FR III's.

So the IIc we have should have the Merlin 32 at the very least.

If we were ever to get the L III is should have the Merlin 55M.