Supermarine Seafire Mk.IIc

In 1938 the FAA were short of aircraft, drastically short. The concept of using the Spitfire as a Naval aircraft was proposed by the Admiralty. Already in use were the Gloster Sea Gladiator and Hawker Sea Hurricane. Both excellent aircraft in their own right but outdated as far as the advances in German aircraft expansion. Many opposed the idea, including Churchill, who argued that they were required for more pressing matters as land-based Spitfires. In 1941 the Admiralty pressed further the request and a batch of Seafire Mk.Ib were provided in November 1941. A further 110 were converted from Spitfire Mk.Vb’s with the same armament and deliveries were issued to 807 NAS and 801 NAS on HMS Furious in June 1942.

The Seafire F Mk.IIc was finally put into production in 1942 with 372 being built, 110 of which were built by Westland who also began manufacture of the Seafire Mk.III at the same time. The Mk.IIc was the first Seafire to be deployed in large numbers but still lacked the folding wing necessary for storage aboard many of the Carrier Fleet due to the lifts not being wide enough to accommodate the wingspan of the Seafire.

The main issue was the undercarriage. Being designed for grass airfield landings the undercarriage was quite weak for the rigours of deck landing/take off, which was proved through countless accidents during initial service. The Mk.II had strengthened undercarriages which were adequate but still flawed under adverse conditions. However, the Mk.IIc was used by 4 FAA Squadrons from 1942 onwards. The Seafire Mk.IIc gradually replaced the Sea Hurricane during 1942 and 1943 and was eventually deployed with 12 NAS Squadrons as well as reserve squadrons 1831 NAS, 1832 NAS and 1833 NAS.

The first combat use occurred during Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa in November 1942, from various Fleet and Auxiliary Carriers. Remaining in the Mediterranean, the type saw action with the invasions of Sicily and Italy and with the Atlantic Fleet for attacks on the Tirpitz. Many Seafire Squadrons were to provide air cover for the D-day landings. With the move to the Pacific Theatre the Seafire saw action with the British Pacific Fleet with 887 and 894 FAA aboard HMS Indefatigable from late 1944.

As far as I could determine, there are no surviving Seafire Mk.IIc. Shame.

The Model

This was a Special Hobby kit. OK, it’s a short run kit, its not new, its multimedia, lots of PE.

Need I say more. In fairness the fit was OK although much care required due to lack of locator pins. I have a vague recollection that this could have been a duel build with two Special Hobby kits trying to build the Mk.IIc and Mk.III at the same time. Never again. Many of these kits come with extensive parts which can be interchanged to make different versions of the same aircraft so there were a great deal of parts left with each kit. However, the kit made for a good build and a pleasing result. I splashed out on extra decals in order to do an early version of this aircraft. The sharp eyed among you will have noticed the deliberate mistake…things can get confusing sometimes.

It represents a F Mk.IIc MB156/O-6G of 885 NAS aboard HMS Formidable just before Operation Torch, October 1942. It still has the C1 roundels instead of the American stars which were added just before Torch for reasons best left to the high command. It has the Temperate Sea Scheme of Dark Sea Grey/Dark Slate over Sky with the Sky band on the rear fuselage.

The fate of the aircraft is unclear, but it seems it was written off due to a landing incident where the aircraft bounced over the wires and crashed into the barrier in April 1943.

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