Elliptical Elegance – Flying and evaluating the Seafire Mark III

It’s commonly agreed that the Spitfire/Seafire configuration was the most beautiful fighter ever. Its elliptical wing and long, slim fuselage were most delightful to the eye, and its flight characteristics equaled its aerodynamic excellence. The Navy Spitfire—the Seafire—was heavier but otherwise retained all the Spitfire’s delightful flight characteristics. The Spitfire and Seafire series had only two unacceptable features to perturb a fighter pilot: one was caused by its configuration, and the other was the result...