In April 1943, the Seafire Mk.III incorporated for the first time folding wings that allowed a workable number of the aircraft to be stowed within the Royal Navy's fleet carriers hangers via their narrow lifts instead of being relegated to a mere five-or-six deck-parked machines devoted solely for fleet protection. The Seafire III came in three versions: The F (original model) III, the LF (low-altitude optimised) III and the LR (low-altitude reconnaissance) III. The vast majority of the over 1,000 Seafires built were Seafire LF IIIs. By the end of the war in 1945, the Seafire III retained the best climb rate of all Allied carrier-borne aircraft and, despite the challenges of its light airframe, its deck landing characteristics had improved to acceptable levels. Seafire IIIs saw combat over the Normandy invasions, in Operation 'Dragoon' (the landings in Southern France) and extensively during 1945 in the Pacific, operating from HMS Implacable and HMS Indefatigable.

Note that the 3D printed set offered here actually includes two different models: (4) gear/wing-down models and (1) gear down/wings folded model perfect for the lift. Although photography of these little gems is a challenge for our equipment and limited skills, we hope that we've been able to show the well proportioned model including the delicate fuselage complete with a detailed canopy; the gull-wings with the 20 mm cannon, tiny upper surface 'blisters' and open wheel wells, oil cooler and radiator underwing; the tail assembly and especially the landing gear with tail wheel. Note that the cannon and landing gear are a bit thick due to 3D printing process limitations but can be easily replaced with PE parts if desired.

While the surfaces are not perfectly smooth (3D printing is done in layers), the plastic used can be sanded and painted much the same way you would handle resin or styrene. The models may still have some powder and oil-like agent on them that needs to be removed by washing in warm water with a drop of detergent added to it.

NOTE: While we currently maintain limited inventories of most items, some items may be "printed on demand", which usually requires 10-15 business days from order to shipment.