Trumpeter 1:48 Supermarine Seafang F. Mk 32

[Joesdad]

The Seafang was essentially a Spiteful redesigned for Royal Navy carrier use, with the addition of an arrester hook, a contra-rotating propeller to eliminate engine torque effects, and power folding outer wing panels.
Two prototype Type 396 Seafang Mark 32s were ordered on 12 March 1945 followed by an order for 150 Type 382 Seafang Mark 31s on 7 May 1945. To expedite entry into service the interim Mark 31 was ordered which was a navalised Spiteful, basically a Spiteful with an arrestor hook. This would allow the Mark 32 to be developed; it would be the definitive naval variant, again with an arrestor hook but also folding outer wing panels and a contra-rotating propeller.
The first Seafang flew in 1946; it was the first interim production Mark 31 VG471. Although 150 of the interim variant were ordered, only nine were completed before the order was cancelled as the urgency of an interim type was removed due to the end of the war.
The first prototype definitive Mark 32 VB895 was first flown in June 1946. It was powered by a Griffon 89 engine rated at 2,350 hp (1,752 kW) driving two three-bladed contra-rotating propellers. In August 1946, VB895 was demonstrated to the Royal Netherlands Navy at Valkenburg. The same aircraft was flown by noted test pilot Mike Lithgow in May 1947, during deck landing trials on HMS Illustrious. Compared to the Seafire F.47, its performance advantage was not deemed to be enough to disrupt series production of new navalised Meteor and Vampire jet fighters. Also, the Seafang's low-speed handling characteristics were not as good as hoped, and the contemporary Hawker Sea Fury was preferred as a fleet fighter.
Seafang Mark 31 VG474 was used as a development aircraft for the Supermarine Attacker including the fitment of power-operated ailerons and contra-rotating propellers. The Attacker was a jet-powered development of the Spiteful/Seafang design which used the Spiteful laminar-flow wing and landing gear.

Type 382 Seafang F.31
Interim production variant with a 2,375 hp Griffon 61 engine, five-bladed constant-speed Rotol airscrew. 150 ordered but only 9 built; the rest were cancelled.
Type 396 Seafang F.32
Two prototypes built powered by a 2,350 hp (1,752 kW) Griffon 89 piston engine, folding wings, increased fuel capacity, dual contra-rotating 3-bladed propellers.

Length: 34 ft 1 in (10.39 m)
Wingspan: 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m)
Height: 12 ft 6½ in (3.82 m)
Wing area: 210 ft² (19.5 m²)
Empty weight: 8,000 lb (3,636 kg)
Loaded weight: 10,450 lb (4,750 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Griffon 89 V12 liquid cooled piston, 2,350 hp (1,755 kW)
Performance....
Maximum speed: 413 kn (475 mph, 765 km/h)
Range: 342 nmi (393 mi, 633 km)
Service ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,500 m)
Rate of climb: 4,630 ft/min (23.5 m/s)
Wing loading: 49.8 lb/ft² (243 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.188-0.225 hp/lb (W/kg)
Armament....
4 × 20 mm (.79 in) Hispano Mk V cannon,
Provision for 2 × 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs or 4 × 60 lb (27 kg) rockets.








Cockpit with PE seat harness (a first for me)





Six blade contrarotating prop







Note the missing aircraft ID number decal which fell apart on me



Ok this side



Final pic



Conclusion:
A very nice (basic) kit with no major fit issues. User error on the other hand... Way too much weathering really, although I'm pleased with finished build, in the hands of an expert she could be loverly. CC's please naturally.
Thanks for taking the time to have a look.

Tim

[JayCub]

Looks super Tim i really like it, and i also like the weathering you have done, and the pe looks amazing, very nice indeed.

Tom

[Paul]

Nice work Tim, paintwork turned out spot on and well done on the PE work

[Joesdad]

Thanks guys....
Means a lot.. It the weathering that let's her down, I used a oil pin wash and it didn't work as well
as I thought it would...if only I knew of a company that produces top quality washes....

Tim

[RobertA]

Fang-tastic!!

[Nige201980]

Really great build mate weathering looks spot on to me buddy.

[chief5437]

Great looking plane that, I love it. Great work on the cockpit!