What Happened To The Spitfire’s Successor?
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Throughout WWII, the Spitfire’s design evolved to remain a frontline fighter. The Spitfire Mk. I of 1939 had a top speed of 362 mph (583 km/h) and was powered by a Merlin engine producing just over 1,000 hp.
Nothing Lasts Forever
The Spitfire was armed with eight .303 Browning machine guns. By late 1945, the final variant, the F Mk. 24, was larger, nearly 30% heavier fully loaded, and powered by a Griffon engine producing over 2,000 hp. It had a top speed of 454 mph and a more formidable armament of four 20 mm cannons.
Despite its success, designers recognized that improvements were needed. The fundamental design had flaws that, if corrected, could make the aircraft even more formidable.
Development of the Supermarine Spiteful
In 1942, Supermarine sought to improve the Spitfire’s thick wings and narrow-track undercarriage. The new wing was lighter, improved roll rate, and allowed for a broader undercarriage pivoting from the wings rather than the fuselage.
The Air Ministry approved development in 1943, but Spitfire production demands delayed the first prototype until June 30, 1944. It proved faster than the Mk. 14 but had dangerous stall characteristics. The first prototype crashed, killing the test pilot.
A second prototype flew in January 1945, featuring the Spiteful’s final fuselage design. The Air Ministry ordered 150 units, designating it the Spiteful Mk. 14 to align with the Spitfire model series. Powered by a Griffon engine producing 2,375 hp, it reached a top speed of 483 mph. However, as WWII ended, the Spiteful became unnecessary. The Spitfire remained capable, and many Spiteful design improvements were integrated into late-model Spitfires. Orders were gradually reduced.
Too Little, Too Late: The Seafang
Supermarine also proposed a navalized Spiteful, designated the Seafang, for the Fleet Air Arm. Introduced in October 1943, it featured folding wing tips, a rounded windscreen, reinforced landing gear, and a tail hook. The Seafang also incorporated an advanced propeller system that would likely have been used on later Spiteful models.
When Spiteful orders were cut in May 1945, they were transferred to the Seafang F-31, with 150 units ordered. However, by war’s end, the need for the Seafang diminished. Only nine were built before the program was canceled.
Ultimately, the Spiteful and Seafang arrived too late to make an impact. Though their designs were promising, the transition to jet-powered fighters rendered them obsolete. Despite their limited production, their innovations influenced future aircraft designs.
