WorldNavalShips .com Home Page
Order Enquiries (UK) : 01436 820269

You currently have no items in your basket

Naval History by Country :
ROYAL
NAVY
US
NAVY
GERMAN
NAVY
FRENCH
NAVY
MORE
PAGES
VIEW ALL OF OUR CURRENT ART SPECIAL OFFERS ON ONE PAGE HERE
NAVAL ART AVIATION ART MILITARY ART SPORT ART
Ship Search by Name :
Product Search         
ALWAYS GREAT OFFERS :
20% FURTHER PRICE REDUCTIONS ON HUNDREDS OF LIMITED EDITION ART PRINTS
BUY ONE GET ONE HALF PRICE ON THOUSANDS OF PAINTINGS AND PRINTS
FOR MORE OFFERS SIGN UP TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER




Seafire - Aircraft Details - Aviation Directory

Seafire


Name : Seafire

Pilots and Aircrew for : Seafire
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this aircraft. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
NameInfo
Crosley, Michael
Click the name above to see a profile of Crosley, Michael

   Died : 20 / 6 / 2010
Crosley, Michael

Robert Michael Crosley was born on February 24 1920 , Mike Crosley was a Metropolitan Police constable (a reserved occupation) when war broke out, but volunteered on the day of the Fleet Air Arm strike on Taranto, November 11 1940. Fleet Air Arm Ace Mike Crosley joined the carrier HMS Eagle in late 1941, one of four FAA pilots flying Sea Hurricanes in defence of the Malta convoys, On June 12 he was on alert on the deck of HMS Eagle. After two hours strapped in his cockpit, he was expecting to stand down when he heard the klaxon sound. Within a few moments he was airborne, being directed by radar to an enemy aircraft; and when his flight leader turned back with engine trouble, Crosley decided to pursue the enemy alone. He closed until the wingspan of the three-engined Italian bomber filled his gunsight, then pressed the trigger. At that moment he noted sparks coming from the underside of the bomber – it was the enemy returning fire. Then smoke burst from the Italian's engines and its wingtip came dangerously close as it dived towards the sea. Crosley followed, determined to finish it off; but as he emerged from the cloud he saw the bomber floating on the water with a yellow life raft beside it. The next day Crosley shot down a twin-engined German fighter-bomber. He wove in and out of the German's slipstream, and when the target filled his gunsight he fired one long burst which hit the aircraft's wing, "sparking like firecrackers". In August 1942, during Operation Pedestal, he was lucky to escape with his life after the carrier was torpedoed and sunk by U73. She capsized within 7 minutes. He later joined HMS Biter flying Sea Hurricanes, in Operation Torch. and on November 8 he shot down two Vichy French fighters in a dogfight over the airfield of La Senia, near Oran. He was awarded his first DSC. Mike Crosley was then selected to pass on his experience to new fighter pilots at HMS Dipper, near Yeovilton, where he flew the Royal Navy's version of the Spitfire, known as the Seafire. By D-Day Crosley had joined 886 Naval Air Squadron, flying Seafires from Lee-on-the-Solent. His role was to direct the fire of the heavy ships which were bombarding the German defences. On the second day of the Allied landings he shot down a German Bf109, which crashed 15 miles south-west of Caen, and two days later damaged an Fw190 which he chased in a dogfight through the skies over Normandy. After D-Day Mike Crossley was appointed to command 880 Naval Air Squadron; this was based in Orkney as part of 30 Naval Air Wing, which embarked in the fleet carrier Implacable and carried out a series of attacks on German shipping in the fjords of Norway. By the time the war ended 880 Squadron and Implacable were prosecuting the war in the Pacific, striking at the Japanese mainland. Crosley was mentioned in despatches, and in August 1945 received a Bar to his DSC. he finished the war in the Far East, with 5.5 victories. After the war Mike Crosley joined No 6 Empire Test Pilots' Course, and left the Navy to test Short's flying boats under development in Belfast. On the outbreak of the Korean War he rejoined the Navy, helping to train new pilots and flying 75 missions over Korea from the carrier Ocean. He wrote pilots' notes for a range of aircraft, which he flew to their limits, and was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air. In 1954-55 he was commanding officer of 813 Squadron, flying the Wyvern from the new HMS Eagle. In 1958 Crosley was promoted commander and returned to test flying at Boscombe Down, making the first deck landings of the Buccaneer low-level bomber. Mike Crosley logged 2,818 flying hours in 147 different types of aircraft and made 415 deck landings. Throughout the war he kept extensive diaries, on which he based two books: They Gave Me a Seafire (1986) and In Harm's Way (1995). Sadly Mike Crosley died at the age of 90 on the 20th June 2010.
Henshaw, Alex
Click the name above to see a profile of Henshaw, Alex

   Died : 24 / 2 / 2007
Henshaw, Alex

Alex Henshaw perhaps understands the Spitfire better than any other pilot - for he was Vickers Chief Test Pilot on Spitfires at the new Spitfire factory at Castle Bromwich during World War II. By the end of the war he had personally test flown a total of 2360 different Spitfires and Seafires - more than ten per cent of the entire production. It is often stated that those lucky enough to have seen Alex handle the Spitfire in flight, that it is an experience that can never be forgotten, he was acknowledged as a virtuoso in aerobatics. Alex Henshaw died 24th February 2007.
Marriott, J A
Click the name above to see a profile of Marriott, J A
Marriott, J A

Damaged Seafire LR864 after arrester gear on HMS Indefatigable failed on 23rd July 1945.
Quill, Jeffrey
Click the name above to see a profile of Quill, Jeffrey

   Died : 20 / 2 / 1996
Quill, Jeffrey

Jeffrey Quill was born at Littlehampton in Sussex in 1913, the youngest of five children. He was educated at Lancing College, overlooking Shoreham aerodrome (then a small grass field with old hangars and a wooden hut for the flying club). The frequent sight of aircraft at close quarters increased Quill’s already burning interest in aviation, and after leaving Lancing in 1931 he was accepted into the Royal Air Force at the age of 18, as an acting Pilot Officer. He learned to fly on Avro Tutor biplanes, and went solo after only 5 hours 20 minutes – well below the usual 9 hours. In September 1932 he joined No.17 (Fighter) Squadron at Upavon, where he flew Bristol Bulldogs. He was then posted to Duxford, to the RAF Meteorological Flight, where they flew open-cockpit Siskins to heights of up to 25,000 feet to collect weather data. In November 1934 Quill became Flight Commander, and set out with his team to achieve 100 per cent regularity in the scheduled climbs (twice every day, except Sundays, at 0700 and 1300 hrs) without missing a single flight, even in “unflyable” weather. For this outstanding achievement he was awarded the Air Force Cross. In January 1936 Jeffrey Quill became assistant to Mutt Summers, the chief test pilot at Vickers (Aviation) Ltd., and his initial task was the testing of the Wellesley bomber. On 26 March 1936 Quill made his first flight in the prototype Spitfire K5054. Much work was needed on the Spitfire before it was eventually cleared for squadron service in July 1938. Jeffrey Quill spent the entire war in charge of development and production flying, but insisted on having first-hand combat experience, and in August 1940 he was assigned to 65 (Spitfire) Squadron at RAF Hornchurch. During that month he shot down a Me109, and shared in a Heinkel He111 before being recalled to Supermarine to test the Spitfire Mk III. The Seafire, the naval version of the Spitfire used by the Fleet Air Arm, was suffering enormous losses in deck landing accidents. During 1944 Quill spent five months with the Royal Navy, and made more than 75 deck landings. By the end of the war, he had personally test-flown all 50-odd variants of Spitfire and Seafire. His personal favourite was the Spitfire Mk VIII. Jeffrey Quill continued as chief test pilot after the war, when Vickers – ever on the cutting edge of development – produced Britain’s third jet aircraft, the Attacker. On 27 July 1946 Quill made the first flight from Boscombe Down, and continued to undertake the testing, until one day the following June he passed out at about 40,000 feet. Fortunately he recovered at about 10,000 ft, in time to land safely. Quill had been flying continuously for 16 years, often at high altitude and without oxygen. He had logged over 5000 hours and flown more than 95 aircraft types. Jeffrey Quill died at Andreas, Isle of Man, on 20 February 1996.


Jeffrey Quill after winning his Air Force Cross.


Sargeant, I
Click the name above to see a profile of Sargeant, I
Sargeant, I

Taken prisoner 22nd August 1944 after forced landing in Seafire LR863 during Operation Goodwood. Sargeant was serving with No.887 Squadron, but the aircraft was from No.894 Squadron.
Twiss, Peter
Click the name above to see a profile of Twiss, Peter

   Died : 31 / 8 / 2011
Twiss, Peter

Peter Twiss was born on the 23rd of July,1921 in Lindfield, West Sussex. Peter Twiss spent much of his early days on a farm near Salisbury. When war broke out later in 1939 he enlisted as a Naval Airman Second Class in the Fleet Air Arm, qualifying as a pilot after initial training at 14 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School at Castle Bromwich on Tiger Moths and then went on to fly Hawker Harts and Fairey Battles. Operational training followed at RNAS Yeovilton flying Blackburn Rocs and Skuas and Fairey Swordfish followed by a period at the Army School of Co-operation at Andover on Bristol Blenheims on twin conversion before being posted to the Orkneys to 771 Squadron. By then he had amassed 292 hours on 12 types and attained the rank of Midshipman. Peter Twiss flew with 807 Squadron FAA from the carrier HMS Furious during the Malta convoys, and later took part in the invasion of North Africa. Best known as a post-war test pilot, particularly of the Fairey Delta FD2 with which he set a World Absolute Speed Record, Peter Twiss also saw distinguished service as a Fleet Air Arm pilot. Flying Fulmars, he was with HMS Ark Royal when she was sunk in November 1941 and then served with his squadron on both Argus and Furious for several of the vital Malta convoys with Force H. He formed the first Seafire Squadron for Operation Torch and was awarded a Bar to his DSC. Returning to the UK, he was sent to the Night Fighter Development Unit. During the war Peter began to get opportunities to fly new aircraft and he started his test flying in America late 1944 and had his first opportunity to fly a jet aircraft. By now he had attained the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. In 1945 he attended the Empire Test Pilots School at Cranfield and then went to the Naval Squadron at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment based at Boscombe Down. In 1946 he joined Fairey Aviation as a test pilot. Lieutenant-Commander Peter Twiss test flew many of the Fairey aircraft including the Fairey Primer, Fairey Firefly, Fairey Gannet, the Fairey FD1, and the Fairey Rotadyne compound helicopter and in 1947 he entered the Lympne Air flying a Firefly IV winning the high speed race with 306 mph. His achievement in breaking the world air speed record in 1956 in the Fairey Delta 2 was recognised by receiving the Queens Commendation for Valuable Service and an OBE. By 1959 Peter was Chief Test for Fairey Aviation when the company was sold to Westland Aircraft and he decided to retire from test flying. He had then amassed 4,500 hours in 148 different types of aircraft. Sadly, Peter Twiss passed away on 31st August 2011.



Squadrons :
No.894 Sqn FAA
Squadrons :
No.880 Sqn FAA
Historical Notes :
23-07-1943 - Damaged after bouncing into barrier on HMS Illustrious. S/L NH Lester OK.
Historical Notes :
23-07-1944 - Starboard oleo collapsed after heavy landing. S/L WA Clarke OK.

Known Individual Aircraft : Seafire :

Type

Serial

Codes

First Flew

Squadron History

Aircrew History

History Notes

Engine

Factory

Seafire IIc

LR658

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR659

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR660

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR661

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR662

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR663

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR664

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR665

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR666

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR667

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 46

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR680

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR681

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 46

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR682

-

no information

no information

details

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR683

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR684

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR685

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR686

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR687

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR688

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR689

H5S

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR690

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR691

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR692

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR693

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR694

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR695

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR696

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR697

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR698

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR699

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR700

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR701

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR702

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR703

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR704

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR705

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR706

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR707

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR708

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR709

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR710

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR711

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR712

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR725

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR726

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR727

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR728

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR729

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR730

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR731

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR732

-

no information

no information

details

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR733

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR734

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR735

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR736

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR737

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR738

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR739

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR740

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR741

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR742

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR743

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR744

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR745

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR746

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR747

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR748

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR749

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR750

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR751

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR752

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR753

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR754

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR755

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR756

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR757

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR758

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR759

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR760

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR761

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR762

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR763

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Westland

Seafire IIc

LR764

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

Seafire III

LR765

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire III

LR766

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 50

Westland

Seafire III

LR767

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

Seafire III

LR768

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

Seafire III

LR769

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

Seafire III

LR783

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

Seafire III

LR784

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

Seafire III

LR785

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

Seafire III

LR786

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

Seafire III

LR787

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

Seafire III

LR788

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

Seafire III

LR789

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

Seafire III

LR790

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

Seafire III

LR791

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

Seafire III

LR792

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

Seafire III

LR793

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

Seafire III

LR794

-

no information

no information

no information

Merlin 55

Westland

All results pages : 1 2 3 3 ... 26
Displaying airframes 101 to 200 of 2577


Squadrons for : Seafire
A list of all squadrons known to have flown the Seafire. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name.
SquadronInfo

No.1833 Sqn FAA

Country : UK
Fleet Air Arm

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.1833 Sqn FAA
No.1833 Sqn FAA

Full profile not yet available.

No.759 Sqn FAA

Country : UK
Fleet Air Arm

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.759 Sqn FAA
No.759 Sqn FAA

Full profile not yet available.

No.800 Sqn FAA

Country : UK
Fleet Air Arm

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.800 Sqn FAA
No.800 Sqn FAA

Full profile not yet available.

No.804 Sqn FAA

Country : UK
Fleet Air Arm

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.804 Sqn FAA
No.804 Sqn FAA

Full profile not yet available.

No.809 Sqn FAA

Country : UK
Fleet Air Arm

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.809 Sqn FAA
No.809 Sqn FAA

Full profile not yet available.

No.885 Sqn FAA

Country : UK
Fleet Air Arm

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.885 Sqn FAA
No.885 Sqn FAA

Full profile not yet available.

No.887 Sqn FAA

Country : UK
Founded : 1st May 1942
Fate : Disbanded 15th March 1946.
Fleet Air Arm

Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.887 Sqn FAA
No.887 Sqn FAA

887 Squadron Fleet Air Arm: 887 Squadron was formed as a Fleet Fighter squadron at Lee-on-Solent 1st May 1942. Initially equipped with Fulmars Mk II, the squadron re-equipped with Spitfires MKV in December, finally equipping with Seafires Mk III in March 1943 - which 887 used until its disbandment - in both L and F variants. In April 1943 the squadron embarked on HMS Unicorn sailing in May on convoy escort to Malta and in September, they provided fighter cover for the Salerno landings. 887 became part of the 24th Naval Fighter Wing in October joining HMS Indefatigable in July 1944. 887 was in action off the coast of Norway during operations against the Tirpitz. On rejoining HMS Indefatigable, 887 sailed for Ceylon to join the British Pacific Fleet. The squadron took part in attacks on Sumatra (January 1945) the Sakishima Group of islands (March/ April) and prior to V J Day saw action over the Japanese mainland. In November 1945 they sailed to New Zealand and then onto Australia before sailing home. 887 squadron was disbanded on arrival at Gosport on 15th March 1946.




Last edited : 17:32, October 22, 2012
Last editor : kc

Return to Aviation Directory Search Home

Everything we obtain for this site is shown on the site, we do not have any more photos, crew lists or further information on any of the ships.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE. ALL IMAGES DISPLAYED ON THIS WEBSITE ARE PROTECTED BY  COPYRIGHT  LAW, AND ARE OWNED BY CRANSTON FINE ARTS OR THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.  NO REPRODUCTION OR COPYING ALLOWED ON OTHER WEBSITES, BOOKS OR ARTICLES WITHOUT PRIOR AGREEMENT.

Contact Details
Shipping Info
Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy
Privacy Policy

Join us on Facebook!

Sign Up To Our Newsletter!

Stay up to date with all our latest offers, deals and events as well as new releases and exclusive subscriber content!

This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts.  Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE

Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269.  Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com

Follow us on Twitter!

Return to Home Page