Seafire Mk Ib coded AC-B, serial PA103 of No. 736 Squadron Fleet Air Arm at St Merryn
ex-Spitfire Mk V EN770
The Seafire Mk Ib, designated Type No. 340, was a naval fighter version of the Supermarine Spitfire adapted for aircraft carrier operations. Key specifications and details:
- First Flight: January 6, 1942 (prototype AB205)
- Type: Naval Fighter
- Dimensions:
- Wingspan: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m)
- Length: 30 ft 2½ in (9.21 m)
- Height: 11 ft 5½ in (3.49 m) with tail up (tip of prop)
- Engine:
- Merlin 45: 1,470 hp (1,096 kW), single-stage, single-speed
- Merlin 46: 1,415 hp (1,055 kW)
- Weight:
- Empty: 5,100 lb (2,313 kg)
- Loaded: 6,700 lb (3,039 kg)
- Performance:
- Max Speed: 365 mph (587 km/h) at 16,000 ft (4,875 m)
- Service Ceiling: 36,400 ft (11,095 m)
- Range: 492 miles (792 km)
- Fuel Capacity:
- 85 Imperial gallons (386 liters) in fuselage tanks
- Provision for a 30 Imperial gallon (136-liter) auxiliary tank
- Armament:
- Cannons: Two 20 mm Hispano (60 rounds per gun)
- Machine Guns: Four 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning (350 rounds per gun)
- Cockpit: Unpressurized, with internal bulletproof glass
- Tailwheel: Fixed
- Naval Equipment: Arrester hook and slinging points for carrier operations
- Propeller: Rotol, three-blade constant-speed (Types RX.5/10, RX.5/14, or RX.5/24, Jablo type)
- Radio Equipment: TR.1196, R.1147, and R.3067
- Gunsight:
- Early: GM.2 reflector
- Later: Gyro Gunsight Mk IID (with Mod. 300)
- Production: 166 conversions of Spitfires into Seafires Mk Ib.