Seafire to take to the skies near to its historic home
The Somerset-based Navy Wings charity will be showing off one of the world's last flying Seafires this Summer
Last updated 6th Apr 2022
An historic 'Navy Spitfire' will return to the skies this Summer, after being purchased through a donation to the RNAS Yeovilton-based Navy Wings charity.
The charity say the 'Seafire SX336 is a unique and exceptional example of the naval story of the Spitfire, one of the most evocative British fighters of all time'.
The money to pay for it followed a donation, after the charity's Sea Fury crashed last year near to the airbase.
A spokesperson for Navy Wings said: "Seafire SX336 is the only airworthy Seafire Mk XVII, and one of only two flying Seafires, in the world.
"Built by British Aircraft Manufacturers, Westlands at Yeovil in 1946, Seafire SX336 Mk XVII is a significant advance on the early Seafires with a more powerful Rolls-Royce Griffon engine and greater firepower and speed over the earlier versions.
"The aircraft’s superb characteristics, speed, rate of climb and manoeuvrability made it uniquely capable to deal with Kamikaze attacks and the aircraft came into its own with the British Pacific Fleet in the Far East, proving to be one of the best Aircraft Carrier interceptors of the Second World War.
"Aircraft Carrier operations are notoriously tough on aircraft and the ‘Sea Spitfire’ with tail hook to engage the arrester wire, reinforced undercarriage, and folding wings, served in the Fleet Air Arm for almost 10 years securing its place in history as one of the most thrilling, beautiful, and potent naval fighters in the world.
"Seafire SX336 heralds a new era for Navy Wings and her roll out on 6 April 2022 represents the culmination of years of work by many dedicated people. The aircraft will fly with the Navy Wings collection at air shows around the country allowing the proud history of this iconic aircraft to showcase the Nation’s aviation heritage well into the future."