Airfix 05110 Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vc/Seafire III

The Supermarine Seafire was a British WWII and post-WWII on-board fighter in an all-metal low wing structure. The drive provided - in the LF Mk. III - single engine Rolls-Royce Merlin 55M with a power of 1,585 hp. The flight of the prototype took place in January 1942, and shortly after that, serial production started, which resulted in the creation of about 2,650 aircraft of this type. On-board armament - in the Mk. III - consisted of two 20mm Hispano cannons and four 7.7mm machine guns.

Plane Supermarine Seafire was a development version of the famous Spitfire fighter, but adapted to operate from aircraft carriers. The changes mainly concerned the reduction of the weight of the aircraft, the use of folding wings and a brake hook, as well as the strengthening of the entire structure. The power unit changed, although they were still Rolls-Royce engines. In the course of serial production, many development versions of this aircraft were created, for example: the Mk. IB (fighter version, one of the first production series, which was a rebuilt Spitfire Mk. V b), Mk. II C (hunting version with reinforced structure and modified on-board armament), Mk. III (version powered by the Merlin 55 engine). In 1946, the Mk. XV with the Griffon VI engine. Supermarine Seafire aircraft received their baptism of fire during Operation Torch in November 1942. They also fought during the landings in Sicily in 1943 and in Normandy in 1944. They also served in the Far East in 1944-1945. They also took a limited part in the initial phase of the Korean War (1950-1953). Airplanes of this type also served in the armed forces of France, Ireland and Canada.

Supermarine Spitfire is probably the most famous British fighter from the Second World War. It was an all-metal machine with a low wing configuration, characteristic elliptical wings, a classic tail and a retractable landing gear. The prototype flight took place on March 5, 1936. The Spitfire proved to be the RAF's staple of the war, which continued to do well after the war, remaining in production for 10 years. The history of the Spitfire began on the drawing desk of RJ Mitchell, Supermarine's lead designer. The first machines went to RAF units in 1938, but when the Battle of Britain began in the summer of 1940, there were already 19 squadrons of modern fighters at the airfields - together with the slightly older Hurricanes of the Islands, 600 aircraft were defending. With the expansion of hostilities, the Spitfire served wherever the RAF operated in the Far East, North Africa and Italy, during the Normandy landings and fighting in France, and finally during the operation in Germany in 1945. For many Britons, he became a symbol of victory in World War II. This wonderful machine has at least a dozen production versions. The most important of them are, among others the first mass-produced Spitfire Mk.I powered by a 1030hp Rolls-Royce Merlin II engine. It was above all this machine that made such an excellent contribution to the Battle of Britain. Many versions of this model have been developed, including PR Mk IA (reconnaissance version) or PR.IG (armed reconnaissance version). Another interesting version was the Spitfire Mk.V with a Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 engine with 1440HP. Later, Merlin 50 engines were also assembled. Serial production of this version started in 1941 and was the RAF's response to the appearance of the Messerschmitt Bf-109F. Another very successful version is the Spitfire Mk.IX, powered by a Merlin 61 engine with a 4-blade propeller. It was created as an opponent to the Focke-Wulf Fw-190 and was put into production at the end of 1941. This version was modified many times and, for example, in 1944 it got a new gyro sight, an enlarged rudder or a different wing system. Another major version is the Spitfire Mk.XIV with a Rolls-Royce Griffon 61 engine and a five-bladed propeller. Serial production started in October 1943. One of the last series produced was the Mk.21 version. This version had a Griffon 61 engine, a strongly reinforced structure and sheathing, the wings were extended, increasing their flying surface. Mass production started in March 1945. Technical data (Mk.XIV version): length: 9.14m, wingspan: 11.23m, height: 3.05m, maximum speed: 717km / h, rate of climb: 18.5m / s, practical ceiling: 13,200m, range maximum: 1815 km, armament: fixed - 4 7.7mm machine guns and 2 20mm Hispano Mk II cannons, suspended - up to 225 kg of bombs.