Supermarine Seafire F Mk 46

The Supermarine Seafire F Mk 46 was a Spitfire F Mk 22 modified to naval standard and featured the cut down rear fuselage and “teardrop” canopy. The wing was not modified to fold. In April 1947, a decision was made to replace the Griffon 61s or 64s driving a five bladed Rotol propeller unit with Griffon 85s or 87s driving two three bladed Rotol contra-rotating propellers. All but the first few incorporated larger tail units from the Spiteful and Seafang. These two changes transformed the handling of the aircraft by eliminating the powerful swing to starboard of previous Griffon engined variants. 200 of the Mk 46s were ordered but only 24 were built.