Seafire,oops.

[bobgod]

Came across this on a random pics thread of another forum that I monitor.

Presume its a Seafire. Google tells me that the earlier ones were just Mk V Spits with a tailhook, Later versions got folding wings and Griffon engines, bubble canopy etc. ---the different marks get lost in the same sort of model designation that confuses most people with the Spitfire.
2 things worth a query in this photo.
What is that assembly under the aircraft? the plane's u/c+. etc?.
Also looks like the hook may have taken out the lower piece
of the rudder. Amazing!

[bobgod]

Somebody just commented on that forum------

:
Plane lost engine power due to fire (as noted by flames at aft part of engine exhaust). Pilot pulled a slip to put out fire but plane was left incapacitated as noted by locked prop. Plane needed to emergency land on aircraft carrier (note the canopy is open, standard emergency procedure). Carrier, not designed for this aircraft put out ropes as there was no tail hook or perhaps tail hook was damaged. Plane lands hard landing (as no go around without an engine) and damages landing gear (and possibly hook). Right Landing gear and belly tank snared by ropes, plane catapulted up by final rope. Pilot lives to tell the tale?--[Unquote]:

I dont know if this is opinion or a factual report.

[baz62]

Jun 12, 2012 14:59:43 GMT 12 bobgod said:

Came across this on a random pics thread of another forum that I monitor.

Presume its a Seafire. Google tells me that the earlier ones were just Mk V Spits with a tailhook,Later versions got folding wings and Griffon engines,bubble canopy etc. ---the different marks get lost in the same sort of model designation that confuses most people with the Spitfire.
2 things worth a query in this photo.
What is that assembly under the aircraft? the plane's u/c+.etc?.
Also looks like the hook may have taken out the lower piece
of the rudder. Amazing!

Looks like one undercarriage leg, the belly fuel tank (!!!) and if its a late mark Seafire the bottom portion of the rudder was cut away and a shaped bit on the hook filled the gap. In fact the hook and this fairing are actually there still attached the the tail but almost the same colour as the sea in the background.

[bobgod]

Thanks Baz --I saw this when I searched google,but I didnt pay enough attention to it--Small image.---- Definitely looks like the propeller was not moving!tho!
I think I might have chosen to ditch it,somehow!!

[scrooge]

I call fanciful gibberish.

Plane lost engine power due to fire (as noted by flames at aft part of engine exhaust). - Flames? normal exhaust and oil.

Pilot pulled a slip to put out fire but plane was left incapacitated as noted by locked prop. - What? it's caught in the net and hit the deck, of course the prop's not turning.

Plane needed to emergency land on aircraft carrier (note the canopy is open, standard emergency procedure). - And standard landing procedure- better visability (can move head further side to side) and canopy open if quick exit required.

Carrier, not designed for this aircraft put out ropes as there was no tail hook or perhaps tail hook was damaged. - Aircraft has tail hook per other posts, 'ropes' are actually carrier net- you can see the vertical sections in the photo. Besides which, if it's a carrier, it's got nets!

Plane lands hard landing (as no go around without an engine) and damages landing gear (and possibly hook). Right Landing gear and belly tank snared by ropes, plane catapulted up by final rope. Pilot lives to tell the tale?--[ - bounces through nets, hard landing might be right, but probable cause, not effect. Catapulted up by nose and prop getting caught in the net! Exactly what it should do.

[Dave Homewood]

I agree totlly Scrooge. All British carriers had six arrestor wires and a net, all deployed with each landing. You can see missed wires behind the Seafire. It was not uncommon for an aircraft to bounce and float over the wires, and be caught by the net as the last resort - aircraft generally didn't have the power that jets have now to power on and go around again.

The aircraft was pretty much always damaged in this sort of landing, sometimes they would be repaired of the workshops had the parts, but often they'd be tipped over the side.

[steveh]

Totally agree with scrooge, what a load of twaddle. Its a later Seafire XV with the sting hook, that appears to have missed the wires & gone into the barrier divesting itself of various bits & pieces along the way. Not too unusual for this era judging by many similar photos I've seen over the years.
Its probably impolite to ask bobgod to ID the other forum but I'd be interested to know what the reaction was to that fanciful bit of waffle that bob posted in his second post.ost forums that I know of would put the poster on the spot farely quickly.
Steve.

[bobgod]

Don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger!---The wonders of the Inteweb!
I found the picture on 'Random Pics' thread of the Off Topic forum
of a website--Pelican Parts, which is a forum for Porsche Owners and Enthusiasts
Sorry , experts, I thought you might be interested.
I will endeavor to avoid " fanciful gibberish." in future.

[Tony]

Don't worry bob, I'm in the same boat as you

[scrooge]

Not a dig at you bobgod, just the comment that you were able to bring across, interesting picture anyway. Thanks.

feel free to take my comments back the other way, re-phrase if you feel inclined.

[McFly]

A little research shows this as Seafire Mk. XV, S/N SR537, Code 132/N flying with 801 Sqn of HMS Implacable 1945/46.

SR537 Seafire XV, 24-4-45 52MU, 27-5-45 801S Australia HMS Implacable, Cat A struck SR580 6-1-46, Cat E 18-2-46 to UK for repair SOC 17-3-50.



The event in question - a common landing accident:
With the war over, HMS Implacable embarked 801 Squadron with new Seafire XVs collected in Australia in the autumn of 1945. Before the ill-fated Mk XV was banned from carrier flying, 801 and other units attempted to overcome the aircrafts unreliability.

The workup period with the Seafire XV undertaken by 801 Squadron was hampered by incidents like this. Shedding half its landing gear and drop tank, N-132 is caught seconds before it slams back on Implacables flight deck - Feb 1946.

Model available here: www.hannants.co.uk/product/CMR1119

[bobgod]

I was trying to think of another aircraft that has the bottom of the rudder notched out like this----but not for a tailhook.
The Proctor looks similar as the tallwheel assy appears to be mounted to the sternpost!

[Antonio]

Thought I would repost the (missing) pic.

Courtesy of: www.armouredcarriers.com/seafire-operational-history

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Antonio, I have dropped that back into Bob's original post.