Supermarine Seafire F Mk 45

The Supermarine Seafire F Mk 45 was the first to be built using a Griffon 60 series engine with a two-stage, two speed supercharger. The prototype TM379 was modified from a Spitfire F Mk 21 prototype by Cunliffe-Owen and featured a “sting” arrestor hook. Because this version was considered to be an “interim” type the wing, which was unchanged from that of the Spitfire Mk 21, was non-folding. The Seafire F Mk 45 entered service with 778 Squadron in November 1946 and a few were modified to FR Mk 45s in March 1947 by being fitted with two F24 cameras in the rear fuselage. Fifty F Mk 45s were built by the Castle Bromwich factory.