Here are some images of Airfix's 1/48 scale Supermarine Seafire FR 46.
From Wikipedia "The Seafire F. and F.R Mk. 46 was a Spitfire F. Mk 22 modified to naval standard and featured the cut down rear fuselage and "teardrop" canopy. Again the wing had not been modified to fold. The electrical equipment was changed from using a 12 volt system to one using 24 volts. In April 1947, a decision was made to replace the Griffon 61s or 64s driving a five bladed Rotol propeller unit with Griffon 85s or 87s driving two three bladed Rotol contra-rotating propellers. In addition, all but the first few incorporated larger tail units from the Spiteful and Seafang. These two changes completely transformed the handling characteristics of the aircraft by eliminating the powerful swing to starboard of previous Griffon engined variants. 200 of the Mk 46s were ordered but only 24 were built, all by Supermarine.
This is a very good kit, and a awesome plane. It's a very well done kit.
ReplyDeleteIt's an OK kit. There were some fit problems at the wing root though. I'll be posting the FR 47 tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThis thing looks fast just sitting there!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't tell you how fast a FR 46 went. I do know the the FR 47 had a top speed of 452 mph and that the FR 46 was faster.
ReplyDeleteThe FR-46's top speed hs been published at 454 MPH depending on the source. I have heard from pilots an engineers that if the aircraft is in exceptional tune, nicley polished, in clean configuration, has a very straight airframe, and is flying at it's optimum pressure altitude......the aircraft is capable of close to 480mph.
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