floatplane Supermarine Spitfire Vb EP751
Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb floatplane variant, was unique modification of the famous Spitfire designed to operate from water. The Spitfire Mk Vb Floatplane was developed as a navalized version for potential use in areas where airfields were limited, or where the aircraft needed to operate from the sea, such as the Mediterranean or Pacific theatres during World War II. Key details:
Designation and Type Information:
- Designation: Floatplane (Mk Vb)
- Type Number: 355
- First Flight: September 1943 (with aircraft W3760)
- Type: Floatplane Fighter
Dimensions:
- Wingspan:
- Standard: 36ft 10in (11.23m)
- Clipped: 30ft 6in (9.30m) — clipping was done to improve low-level performance.
- Length: 35ft 4in (10.77m)
- Height: Not Known (N/K)
Powerplant:
- Engine: Rolls-Royce Merlin 45, single-speed, single-stage supercharged V12, producing 1,470 hp (1,096 kW).
Weight:
- Empty Weight: 6,014 lb (2,728 kg)
- Maximum Loaded Weight: 7,580 lb (3,438 kg)
Performance:
- Maximum Speed: 324 mph (521 km/h) at an altitude of 19,500 ft (5,945 m)
- Service Ceiling: 33,400 ft (10,180 m)
Armament (Initially unarmed, but later modified):
- Two 20mm Hispano cannon (with 60 rounds per gun)
- Four 0.303 inch Browning machine guns (350 rounds per gun)
Aircraft Characteristics:
- Cockpit: Unpressurized
- Tailwheel: Deleted in this variant to accommodate the floats
- Floats: Fitted with Folland-built floats, which were based on a design by Supermarine. These floats allowed the aircraft to take off and land on water.
- Vertical Fin: Enlarged to compensate for the additional drag of the floats.
- Ventral Strake: Added for improved stability.
Propellers:
- Rotol Four-Blade Propeller, Type XH54D: Constant-speed, variable-pitch propeller
- Rotol Three-Blade Propeller (alternative setup): Constant-speed, variable-pitch, with a diameter of 10ft 9in (3.28m).
Production:
Only three examples of the floatplane version of the Spitfire Mk Vb were produced:
- W3760
- EP751
- EP754 (all modified)
These aircraft were primarily experimental and did not enter widespread production or service. While they demonstrated the potential of turning a land-based fighter into a floatplane, the concept never gained widespread use, mainly due to the logistical challenges of operating floatplanes in a combat environment where air superiority was already being contested.