Seafire's combat debut
Click to enlarge image
Operation Torch was a combat debut of the carrier-borne Spitfire sibling, the Seafire. In support of the Center and Easter Task Forces were three large Royal Navy carriers, HMS Furious, HMS Victorious and HMS Formidable. Onboard HMS Furious were two large Seafire units, No. 801 Suadron FAA with Seafires Mk. IB (shown) and No. 807 operating Seafires Mk. IIC. Additionally, Nos. 884 and 885 Squadrons, each with six Mk. IICs were operating from HMS Victorious and HMS Formidable respectively.
Unfortunately, Opeartion Torch confirmed the initial reputation of the Seafire as a bad naval fighter. The first Seafires were just straight adaptions of the Spitfires Mk. V airframe with added arrester hooks and catapult spools, and the airframe was not structurally strong enough for carrier operations. HMS Furious alone lost 12 aircraft during three days of fighting near Oran, most of them to deck accidents.
The other carrier visible in the distance is believed to be HMS Victorious. Readers are invited to help with identification of the other Force H ships visible at this photograph.
[Crown Copyright, via HMSO Publications/Ashley Gates]
Labels: mystery photos, Seafire Mk. I
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posted by
Les Piper on 29 May 2009 01:48:00
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Directly astern is a KGV class battleship, both HMS King George V and HMS Howe were involved in Operation Torch, it is more likely to be HMS King George V. The cruiser is possibly HMS Renown.
posted by
Matty on 12 Jun 2009 18:53:00
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The (far) carrier is not HMS Victorious but HMS Indomitable, as per large, dark portside camo feature - and, even more definative - high freeboard; note flight deck is above horizon - that is, higher even than HMS Furious' island (photographer location) - this can only be Indomitable (with her extra half-height hangar), compared to Vicky which was a lower-slung ship.
Both of the above features can be compared, side-by-side, in this pic, in which Indomitable is the "taller" carrier; with the larger dark portside camo, forward.
Second (following) warship is not a battle-cruiser but the Nelson-class BB HMS Nelson, as per light "tiger stripe" camo pattern portside forward - as similar in this pic, and also this one. (Disregard large, dark feature(s) aft, which were added later; by the time of these [1943] pics.)
Cheers,
-Matty in Florida