The Supermarine Seafire F Mk III was a development of the previous F Mk II, itself a modified version of the Spitfire VC. It was powered by either the Merlin 55 (for the F Mk III and FR Mk III) or 55M (for the L Mk III optimised for low level performance) engine driving a four-bladed propeller.
The Seafire F Mk III was produced by Supermarine, Westland Aircraft and Cunliffe Owen, with a total of 1,264 aircraft built.
The Seafire F Mk.III first saw combat in November 1942 during Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa. It also participated in the invasions of Sicily, Italy, Normandy and Southern France, providing air cover and ground attack support for the landing forces.
While serving with the British Pacific Fleet it proved to be an effective interceptor against Japanese kamikaze attacks. It was involved in several major battles, such as Okinawa, Formosa and Sakishima Gunto.
The Seafire F Mk III was retired from service after the war, although 12 refurbished aircraft were used by the Irish Air Corps until 1960.
HMS Ameer ferrying Seafires and Corsairs July 1944Match 21st 1944; Seafire MB215 (a Mk.IIC) floated over all the arrestor the wires, hit the barrier and overturned, the pilot, Sub Lt R.G. Hallas, was unharmed. Note the F.Mk.IIIC Seafires behind.
HMS Atheling (D51) Supermarine Seafire F.Mk.III of No. 889 Sqn being lifted to the flight deck Colombo, Ceylon 13 May 1944HMS Atheling (D51) Supermarine Seafire F.Mk.III of No. 889 Sqn being lifted to the flight deck Colombo, Ceylon 13 May 1944
Seafire fighter on HMS Hunter, HMS Stalker in backgroundSeafire taking off from HMS Hunter during the Salerno OperationsCrashed Seafire on HMS HunterSeafire F.Mk.IIIC of No.807 Squadron
Supermarine Seafire Mk.IIIC on trials aboard HMS Illustrious 8/9 Feb 1943Supermarine Seafire Mk.IIIC on trials aboard HMS Illustrious 8/9 Feb 1943Supermarine Seafire Mk.IIIC on trials aboard HMS Illustrious 8/9 Feb 1943Supermarine Seafire Mk.IIIC on trials aboard HMS Illustrious 8/9 Feb 1943Martlet IV’s Fairey Barracudas and Supermarine Seafires on the flight deck of HMS Illustrious in the North Sea July 1943
Supermarine Seafire warming up on board HMS Implacable 1945Fairey Firefly and Supermarine Seafire Aircraft on HMS Implacable November 1944Avengers and Seafires line up on the deck of the aircraft carrier HMS Implacable (R86)HMS Implacable Elevator with a Grumman Avenger visible in the Hanger and Seafires on deckHMS Implacable Approaching Bergen.
Supermarine Seafire Mk.III fighters warming up on HMS Indefatigable. August 1944Supermarine Seafire Mk.III taking off from HMS Indefatigable August 1944Supermarine Seafire, whose undercarriage was damaged during on operation against the Japanese HMS IndefatigableSupermarine Seafire Mk.III hitting the crash barrier on HMS IndefatigableSupermarine Seafire Mk.III crash on HMS Indefatigable
May 21st 1944, Seafire F Mk.IIIs of 899 being ranged on the flight deck of HMS KhediveBombing up a Seafire III with a 500lb bomb Aug 1944 on HMS KhediveSupermarine Seafire F Mk.III of 899 squadron landing n HMS Khedive April 1st 1944808 Squadron Seafire III with a centreline 500-pound bomb flies off HMS Khedive in August 1944Seafire F Mk.III enters the barrier after failing to catch a wireSeafire F Mk.III enters the barrier after failing to catch a wireCrashed Seafire F Mk.III on HMS Khedive
A cable has snapped and the Seafire F.MkIIIC has lurched to starboard and will eventually end up in the barriers.Supermarine Seafire F.Mk.IIIC may just make it as he sails over most of the eight arrestor wires
Supermarine Seafire F.Mk.III with its nose resting on the flight deck of HMS Smiter1944The recovery of a Supermarine Seafire after a heavy landing on HMS Smiter’s flight deck during deck landing control officer training
