Thanks Chris, great film sequences and stills. I love the occasional Merlin sounds - so evocative of my earliest years listening from my pram, usually moored outdoors!
First time i've ever seen this footage. I seem to remember reading somewhere that it was surprisingly maneuverable. Your commentary seems to back that up. It certainly made a nice looking machine. You never cease to amaze me Chris. You always seem to turn up forgotten or lesser known types, keep up the good work.
Great video! Thanks so much for making it. I’m a warbird fanatic but knew next to nothing about the Spitfire’s seaplane development. You’ve earned another subscriber sir!
Very interesting! The thought of somebody even considering hampering the already very inferior Blackburn Roc with heavy floats seems just unbelievable...
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Yes, of course. If the Spitfire was to have had floats those few pictures of them with a big central one and small wing floats look more of a proposition. But, doubtless, there were valid reasons it was not proceeded with...
Hi Chris . Although l was very aware of this floatplane, l wasn't aware of the different and number of conversions . I recognised Jeffery Quill as one test pilot who indeed was surprised at the agility of the converted aircraft. But l had no idea of the Griffon powered conversion with the central float taking off from a ship . Very interesting indeed Chris . Thanks Chris
An interesting subvariant. My father flew over the Mk.V versions on the Great Bitter Lake, which were originally destined for the Greek islands. When they landed on the water, it looked like a Spitfire ditching with all the splash. First time he saw that, he radioed in that a Spitfire had ditched. Had to buy a round in the mess after that gaff.
There was a Mark 9 LF1XB Spitfire Floatplane namely MJ982 that was first flown out of the Saunders Roe experimental facility at Beaumaris on Anglesey in North Wales in July 1944 and was tested on the Menai Straits . It was eventually returned to Follands in August 1945 The old Saunders Roe slipways are still there, and visible below the waters
I think it was in Jeffrey Quill's book that he flew it and discovered that, despite the floats, the a/c behaved remarkably normal.with very little difference in its qualities.
Certain concepts were learned by Mitchell with his racer, but otherwise there were no real similarities between the S.6 and the Spitfire. He did however use various forms of elliptical wings, starting with the S.4, albeit wooden.
Interesting photos of the two A/C with single floats (which you make no reference to in the film). I'm certain they are both composite (Photoshopped) images as to the best of my knowledge no Single float/catapult Spitfires ever existed indeed I have seen the MK.XIV photo published elsewhere sans any floats.
Good point Neil I have done some further research and can confirm you are correct. There were never any test flights, or even a Spitfire built with one large float under the fuselage and two smaller once at the tip of the wings. Chris.
@@MichaelWitt-tx5zv Agreed - after a quick internet search, I found the original photo of a Vought OS2U Kingfisher with the same foreground and exact float arrangement/placement... someone just "added/swapped" the Spitfire on top in the photo.
The Griffon powered A/C on the single float is a MkXiV as it has a 5 blade prop and does not have the distinctive small bulge on top of the nose that the Mk.XII had. By the way I'm certain this shot and the other one of a Mk,IX on a single float are both composite (photoshopped) images.
Thanks Ian, further research and I can confirm you are correct. There were never any test flights, or even a Spitfire built with one large float under the fuselage and two smaller once at the tip of the wings. Chris.
@GULLPERCHFLYER thought so, thanks for confirming. Those pictures appeared in a video a while ago and I checked my Spitfire references and could only find the 2 float versions. Shame because it looks better than the 2 float Spits IMO. 🤭
I wonder at what point Supermarine shifted from using the Napier line of engines as in the S5 Schneider trophy aircraft to the Rolls Royce line, & why since Napier survived as a producer of very powerful engines that change happened?
@@bobsakamanos4469 the wartime Napier Engines became reliable with development & input from Bristol who had progressed further with sleeve valve development. Bristol developed radial engines, Rolls Royce was by no means the premier British engine developer & there is evidence of cheating by the management. Bristol went on to be a leading jet engine developer. Postwar government pressure resulted in amalgamation in the British aerospace world with the name of Rolls Royce persisting.
@@pcka12 Napier took far too long to refine their engine which killed many a Typhoon and Tempest pilot. Hence why they were all scrapped at the end of the war. They were a liability. This video is not about Napier. Clearly you have an agenda to spread your own unrelated story.
@@bobsakamanos4469 how can you possibly say "Napier took far too long to refine their engine"?! Every British aviation company was operating under immense problems of equipment, facilities, expertise & so on throughout the war, Napier took as long as they took to achieve the engineering marvels which they did achieve. Napier went on to produce the famous Deltic diesels post war as the UK scrapped virtually all of its wartime aviation since there was no need for it any longer & jets which had been developed through the war were taking over from all internal combustion engines including those produced by Rolls Royce (who had major failures in engine design). Bristol was a major player both in IC & EC engines immediately post war.
Thanks Chris, great film sequences and stills. I love the occasional Merlin sounds - so evocative of my earliest years listening from my pram, usually moored outdoors!
Glad you enjoyed the film Martin. Chris.
This is my first time seeing rare footage Spitfire float plane.....Thanks ever so much my friend....From an Old F-4 Phantom ll pilot Shoe🇺🇸
Glad you enjoyed it Steve do check out my other channel films. Chris.
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First time i've ever seen this footage. I seem to remember reading somewhere that it was surprisingly maneuverable. Your commentary seems to back that up. It certainly made a nice looking machine. You never cease to amaze me Chris. You always seem to turn up forgotten or lesser known types, keep up the good work.
Glad you enjoyed it, all the best regards. Chris.
@@GULLPERCHFLYER Always enjoy your videos Chris.
Thank you for sharing this I've learnt something new today
Glad it was of interest. Chris.
Wonderful video!
Thank you very much. Best Regards. Chris.
Some amazing informtion I didn't know there, Chris. Keep them coming 👌🏻👍🏻
Thanks, will do Kevin appreciate you watching along. Chris.
Great post again Chris, very informative and very interesting.
Appreciate your kind feedback Jack. Chris
Totally fascinating!
Thanks again from Holland!
Many thanks. Best Regards Chris.
Supermarine means "above the water" so it's quite appropriate for there to be a float version.
Many thanks Please have a subscribe. Chris.
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Was not Supermarine an amphibious aircraft business initially?
Great video! Thanks so much for making it. I’m a warbird fanatic but knew next to nothing about the Spitfire’s seaplane development. You’ve earned another subscriber sir!
Glad you enjoyed it and found it interesting. Chris.
very interesting thank you
Thanks for watching along. Chris.
Excellent footage. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it, loads more on my channel. Chris.
Great episode! Cheers! Keith
Many thanks appreciate you watching along. Chris.
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Great video.
Cheers
Thanks Ian. Chris.
Very interesting!
The thought of somebody even considering hampering the already very inferior Blackburn Roc with heavy floats seems just unbelievable...
They were torrid times Vincent.
Do check out my other films. Chris.
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@@GULLPERCHFLYER
Yes, of course.
If the Spitfire was to have had floats those few pictures of them with a big central one and small wing floats look more of a proposition.
But, doubtless, there were valid reasons it was not proceeded with...
The Mk 9 conversion reached 377mph, making it the fastest floatplane fighter.
Appreciate your feedback. Chris.
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The Supermarine S.6 reincarnated!
Pity the Schneider Trophy wasn't a thing in the early 40s. Its a very good looking aircraft.
Beat me to it. I was just about to say the same.
Sure could be. Chris.
Many thanks, Best Regards Chris.
Thanks it was a fantastic era. Chris.
Hi Chris . Although l was very aware of this floatplane, l wasn't aware of the different and number of conversions . I recognised Jeffery Quill as one test pilot who indeed was surprised at the agility of the converted aircraft. But l had no idea of the Griffon powered conversion with the central float taking off from a ship . Very interesting indeed Chris . Thanks Chris
Thanks John for watching along. Chris.
An interesting subvariant. My father flew over the Mk.V versions on the Great Bitter Lake, which were originally destined for the Greek islands. When they landed on the water, it looked like a Spitfire ditching with all the splash. First time he saw that, he radioed in that a Spitfire had ditched. Had to buy a round in the mess after that gaff.
Thanks for sharing that Bob. Chris.
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Learn something every day 👍
Thanks Derek glad it was of interest. Chris.
Interesting story. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it Michael , do please check out my other channel films. Chris.
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@@GULLPERCHFLYER I will have a look.
There was a Mark 9 LF1XB Spitfire Floatplane namely MJ982 that was first flown out of the Saunders Roe experimental facility at Beaumaris on Anglesey in North Wales in July 1944 and was tested on the Menai Straits . It was eventually returned to Follands in August 1945
The old Saunders Roe slipways are still there, and visible below the waters
Many thanks appreciate your interesting feedback. Chris.
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Thank you. M
Thank you too for watching along. Chris.
Very interesting! It's great to learn new information.
Glad you watched along, please have a subscribe. Chris.
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1:21 that's a Catalina PBY-5 in the background.
Many thanks do check out my other channel films. Chris.
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Back to my roots......
Many thanks for your feedback please check out my channel. Chris.
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I had a commando comic that had the main character flying around a Spit on floats, I read it till it fell apart!
Thanks for watching along. Do ponder subscribing. Chris.
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As all Spitfires, a beautifull airplane!
How true. Chris.
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I think it was in Jeffrey Quill's book that he flew it and discovered that, despite the floats, the a/c behaved remarkably normal.with very little difference in its qualities.
That sounds about spot on John. Please check out my channel. Chris.
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The Spitfire was developed from a racing plane which won races during the 30's. It was made by Supermarine so the concept on floats was not new.
Many thanks please subscribe to my channel. Chris.
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Certain concepts were learned by Mitchell with his racer, but otherwise there were no real similarities between the S.6 and the Spitfire. He did however use various forms of elliptical wings, starting with the S.4, albeit wooden.
Five star doco
Many thanks do check out my channel content. Chris.
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Interesting photos of the two A/C with single floats (which you make no reference to in the film). I'm certain they are both composite (Photoshopped) images as to the best of my knowledge no Single float/catapult Spitfires ever existed indeed I have seen the MK.XIV photo published elsewhere sans any floats.
Good point Neil I have done some further research and can confirm you are correct. There were never any test flights, or even a Spitfire built with one large float under the fuselage and two smaller once at the tip of the wings. Chris.
The montage at 5:30 combines a Griffon engine Mk XIV with the floats of a Vought OS2U.
@@MichaelWitt-tx5zv Agreed - after a quick internet search, I found the original photo of a Vought OS2U Kingfisher with the same foreground and exact float arrangement/placement... someone just "added/swapped" the Spitfire on top in the photo.
Are the single float aircraft, particularly the Mark XII real or photoshop?
The Griffon powered A/C on the single float is a MkXiV as it has a 5 blade prop and does not have the distinctive small bulge on top of the nose that the Mk.XII had. By the way I'm certain this shot and the other one of a Mk,IX on a single float are both composite (photoshopped) images.
Thanks Ian, further research and I can confirm you are correct. There were never any test flights, or even a Spitfire built with one large float under the fuselage and two smaller once at the tip of the wings. Chris.
@GULLPERCHFLYER thought so, thanks for confirming. Those pictures appeared in a video a while ago and I checked my Spitfire references and could only find the 2 float versions. Shame because it looks better than the 2 float Spits IMO. 🤭
I wonder at what point Supermarine shifted from using the Napier line of engines as in the S5 Schneider trophy aircraft to the Rolls Royce line, & why since Napier survived as a producer of very powerful engines that change happened?
Much reading needed there Pat. Cheers Chris.
The wartime sleeve-valve Sabre was not reliable. The RR engines were far superior and Mitchell started with the RR R engine in the S.6.
@@bobsakamanos4469 the wartime Napier Engines became reliable with development & input from Bristol who had progressed further with sleeve valve development. Bristol developed radial engines, Rolls Royce was by no means the premier British engine developer & there is evidence of cheating by the management. Bristol went on to be a leading jet engine developer. Postwar government pressure resulted in amalgamation in the British aerospace world with the name of Rolls Royce persisting.
@@pcka12 Napier took far too long to refine their engine which killed many a Typhoon and Tempest pilot. Hence why they were all scrapped at the end of the war. They were a liability. This video is not about Napier. Clearly you have an agenda to spread your own unrelated story.
@@bobsakamanos4469 how can you possibly say "Napier took far too long to refine their engine"?!
Every British aviation company was operating under immense problems of equipment, facilities, expertise & so on throughout the war, Napier took as long as they took to achieve the engineering marvels which they did achieve. Napier went on to produce the famous Deltic diesels post war as the UK scrapped virtually all of its wartime aviation since there was no need for it any longer & jets which had been developed through the war were taking over from all internal combustion engines including those produced by Rolls Royce (who had major failures in engine design).
Bristol was a major player both in IC & EC engines immediately post war.
Some of us know another story.....
Do check out my other channel films Stephen and have a subscribe. Chris.
Spitefire wasnt much of a fighter bomber.
I guess because the Spitfire was designed as a short range fighter . Chris.
With a heavier wing structure, it would have been more like the clumsy P-40 in a climb.