Sea Spitfire SW904

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Aircraft Type Photo

BELOW: A preserved Royal Navy Supermarine Sea Spitfire (Seafire) showing the wings folded for storage on aircraft carriers.

F XVII SX336 Kennet Aviation

RN Seafire with wings folded

Photo: 2006 'Kogo': Released by the author to the public domain

Aircraft Type and Background

RN FAA Supermarine Sea Spitfire ('Seafire') XV / SW904

A military carrier-borne fighter aircraft operated by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy.

The Supermarine Seafire (official name, Sea Spitfire) was the Royal Navy's version of the Spitfire; later versions being specially adapted with folding wings and arrestor hook for use on aircraft carriers.

The first FAA Seafires were modified versions of the land-based Spitfire Marks Va and Vb, renamed as Seafire Mark II. These variants did not have folding wings. Unfortunately, the Spitfire was never really designed to be converted to a deck-landing Seafire. Modified Seafires found carrier approaches difficult and suffered often from landing gear collapses. Again, at times, the arrestor hooks failed to catch the deck wire and would recoil into the aircraft fuselage damaging the airframe.

The Seafires were equipped with two 20mm cannon and four .303in machine guns in the wings. The could also carry a 500lb bomb load. (Later post-war variants (Mk XVII) were equipped with rocket projectiles.)

In November 1943, the first Seafires with folding wings to enter service with the FAA was the Mark F III, soon to be replaced by the Mark L III. These types made possible below-deck storage. These variants were equipped with Merlin engines.

In May 1945, the first Seafires equipped with Griffon engines appeared. These were the Mark XVs--the type featured on this page. By this time, however, the war in Europe had been brought to a successful conclusion.

The Seafire continued in active service with the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) until 1951, and served with the RNVR until the type was decommissioned in 1954.

Preserved versions of the Seafire can still be seen seen at air displays and in museums today.

Aircraft Accident Details

At the time of this accident, 'Seafire' SW826 of 766 Squadron FAA was taking part in formation flying with three other Seafires over the moors SW of Elgin.

While involved in a crossover manoeuvre at 1,000ft, two Seafires collided (SW904 and SW826). The collision destroyed the cockpit of Seafire SW826 and resulted in the death of Seafire SW904's pilot, F. J. Curtis, when his aircraft crashed into the ground near Easterton Farm.

Aircraft Pilot Casualty

The pilot who died in this accident was:

Francis Joseph Curtis (21) RNAS, HMS Fulmar.

Memorial Photos

BELOW: The headstone and grave of the pilot, Francis J Curtis. This grave is at Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool.

Headstone and grave of pilot, Francis J Curtis

The inscription on the headstone reads:

In loving memory of

Francis Joseph [Curtis]

Pilot R.N.A.S

Beloved son of Francis & Angela Curtis,

Accidentally Killed

5th July 1948 Aged 21 Years.

Rest in Peace

BELOW: Another view of the grave at Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool. Margaret Jeary was an eyewitness to the accident that killed this young pilot in 1948.

Another view of the grave at Anfield Cemetery