Seafire

[Versatile]

What ever happened to the Seafire that the CAF at San Marcos had years ago?

[T J Johansen]

Spends its time in Montana with owner James Smith

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/spitregi ... vp441.html

T J

[Versatile]

Sure looks better than when i saw it about 1985. Thanks for the info i couldn't have got a better response.

[Ztex]

Wow!

I never saw any post restoration pics.

Wow!

I would love to see it...does he do airshows?

[Bill Greenwood]

Nelson Ezell did an execellent job rebuilding the Seafire, though it would have been nice if it could have all been done as original. It was modified quite a bit, with toe operated hydraulic brakes rather than original type hand operated air brakes. Spitfire rudders are very effective, so you don't need brakes that much when landing if the approach is slow and the runway not too short. They also made the prop fully feathering! Years ago I saw the plane at San Marcos, I wish I had the foresight and $$$ as Nelson did to purchase and restore it. It seems to have gone to a good home, but even better would be to see it come out to Oskosh and some of the shows.

[Archer]

There are loads of photos of this Seafire on the Flypast forums. Have a look here for a taster:
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=31725
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=29172
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=26236
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=23796

There are many more but I can't find them all now.

Edit: even some video's here: http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24574
And the topic with the 'first flight' photos: http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24080

Last edited by Archer on Tue Feb 13, 2007 8:00 am, edited 2 times in total.

[JDK]

They also made the prop fully feathering!

I understand the logic being it would make quite a difference to where you end up if the engine quits - Without it, it's straight down, as them six contra-blades are big fat things when stopped - you can hardly see through them.

[crystal lakes]

Nelson Ezell did an execellent job rebuilding the Seafire, though it would have been nice if it could have all been done as original. It was modified quite a bit, with toe operated hydraulic brakes rather than original type hand operated air brakes. Spitfire rudders are very effective, so you don't need brakes that much when landing if the approach is slow and the runway not too short. They also made the prop fully feathering! Years ago I saw the plane at San Marcos, I wish I had the foresight and $$$ as Nelson did to purchase and restore it. It seems to have gone to a good home, but even better would be to see it come out to Oskosh and some of the shows.

Well Bill if you could find us a griffon 88 we would install it.
Spitfire air brakes are not that great. Jim wanted hydralic brakes. The prop feathering feature was already there with the griffon 58 out of the shacklelton. If the engine quits it would extend the glide some.
As far as I know this is the last MK. 47 in the world.
The hydralics are all american now.
Mike

[retroaviation]

Here are a couple pictures of the Mk.47 Seafire that Jim Smith owns and crystal lakes takes care of, when we started it (at Ezell Aviation, of course) and at one point during the restoration. I have other photos of it, but couldn't find them this morning. I'll see what else I can come up with later.......






Gary

[crystal lakes]

Thanks Gary, those are ones I have not seen.
I think I met you once when Jim and I came down to check up on the seafire.
I remember when we first looked at the pile of parts in that little garage out back.
Mike