Supermarine Spitfire VB / IXB
Варианты:
Supermarine - Spitfire VB / IXB - 1941 - Великобритания
Страна: Великобритания
Год: 1941


Mk IXB
The first prototype Spitfire Mk VB floatplane conversion, EP751, pictured at Folland Aircraft’s Hamble works after modification. The aircraft still retains the original fin and rudder; a four-bladed propeller was fitted.
Spitfire VB EP751 or EP754. Note retention of original fin shape but with additional under-fin.
Jeffrey Quill taxying the first Spitfire floatplane, W3760, in 1942. Following trials, W3760 was shipped out to Alexandria.
Три Spitfire Mk VB были переделаны в поплавковые гидросамолеты. Они имели четырехлопастные винты, увеличенный киль и большой подфюзеляжный гребень. Самолет оказался неудачным, и проект закрыли в начале 1944 года.
The first Spitfire floatplane to fly, although not the first built, was this Mk.Vb, W3760. The floats of this aircraft were designed by Supermarine and built by Folland. Built at Southampton in July 1941, the aircraft was ready for trials in September 1942.
Another picture of W3760 taken at MAEE Helensburgh during sea trials.
One of Folland's Spitfire VB conversions that operated from the Great Bitter Lake in Egypt at the end of 1943.
Spitfire floatplane EP754 was originally a Mk Vb, converted by Folland Aircraft at Hamble. EP754 is seen here on Great Bitter Lake, Egypt, in 1943.
The third of the Spitfire VB floatplane conversions in the Middle East in early 1944
Spitfire floatplane EP754 was another Mk VB conversion. Intended to operate against Junkers Ju 52s on refuelling missions from Greece to Crete, the Spitfire's floatplane variant did not see operational service flying from salt water caused galloping corrosion, and the engine torque made take-offs exceedingly dicey.
Один LF.Mk IXB летом 1944 года был переделан в поплавковый гидроистребитель с целью исследования его возможностей в этом качестве для использования на Тихом океане. После испытаний машину опять "поставили на колеса". От гидросамолетов-истребителей англичане отказались.
The proto­type Spitfire F Mk IX Spitfire floatplane, MJ892. Converted in May 1944, it was first flown on July 6, from Beaumaris, by F. C. Furlong.
The only fault found with the floatplane as far as handling was concerned was a slight tendency to “patter” or wobble from float to float when landing. The armament of W3760 was of “B” wing standard; two 20mm cannon and four 0-303in machine guns. One feature of the flying characteristics was that the floatplane could be made to roll successfully for combat purposes.
Spitfire Mk.IX, MJ892, converted into a floatplane by Folland Aircraft at Hamble. This was the last of five conversions, although only four of these flew, mid-1944.
An Experimental Spitfire IX Float Seaplane.
The sole Spitfire IX converted - by Folland Aircraft - to be the last of the Spitfire floatplanes.
Mr Hiett’s picture of the surviving Fairey Seafox float which was installed on Spitfire floatplane MJ892 by Folland.