Supermarine Spitfire Mk V Floatplane
Caption
The first Spitfire floatplane was a conversion of a Mark I, the so called "Narvik Nightmare" R6722 which was produced at the time of the German invasion of Norway. The floats from a Blackburn Roc were fitted but the trials were not successful and as the campaign rapidly drew to a close the project was suspended.
The idea was revived again at the beginning of the war in the Pacific against Japan. It was realised that a floatplane fighter would be essential in the island campaigns which seemed likely to follow. Folland Aircraft undertook the conversion of a Spitfire Mk Vb, W3760, with Supermarine designed floats. The carburettor air intake was extended to avoid spray, a shorter four blade propeller was fitted, cantilever pylons attached the floats to the inboard wing sections, a ventral fin replaced the tailwheel and the fin was extended slightly forward to increase the vertical tail surface area.
The idea was revived again at the beginning of the war in the Pacific against Japan. It was realised that a floatplane fighter would be essential in the island campaigns which seemed likely to follow. Folland Aircraft undertook the conversion of a Spitfire Mk Vb, W3760, with Supermarine designed floats. The carburettor air intake was extended to avoid spray, a shorter four blade propeller was fitted, cantilever pylons attached the floats to the inboard wing sections, a ventral fin replaced the tailwheel and the fin was extended slightly forward to increase the vertical tail surface area.
Restoration Status - In Paint Shop
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Eastern Express Supermarine Spitfire Mk V Floatplane
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