RATO Spitfire

Sorry guys, no further photos of Seafires “wearing” rocket gear in my collection.

However, there are some in both ‘Spitfire – The History’ and ‘Warpaint No. 20’. These both show a couple of 1833 Sqn, RNVR, FR Mk 47’s, with the kit fitted. Looking at the background of the photos though, it seems this might have been for demo purposes at an Air Day somewhere circa 1952/53.

Regards,

Laurie.

That’s an unfortunate phrase isn’t it:

“Royal navy planes are being mounted with rockets, which on exploding…”

Where did the equally unfortunate JATO (“jet assisted take off”) acronym come from in reference to rocket assisted takeoffs? Is that just an American usage?

Richard.

Talking of ‘interesting’ Merlin Seafire takeoffs, there’s Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown’s take off from a catapult with the trolley staying attached by accident. Anyone got the picture to hand? It looked rather like a big shopping cart/trolley made of angle iron. That REALLY was an interesting one!

A quick check shows MB141, MB201, MB207, MB306 (all Seafire IIs) and MB367, NX958 (all Mk Is) as involved in RATO trails.

I would be interested to learn of any operational or training use of the Rocket Assisted Take Off Gear on both Merlin and Griffon powered Seafires.

Mark

Mark, Dave,

Rocket assisted take-offs were used quite often by 800 Sqn Seafire 47’s during their involvement in Korea. I don’t have too many details, but I do have some photos. Attached is one showing VP480 taking off from the deck of HMS Triumph with the gear attached and operating.

I think I might have some more photos on the other disk. I’ll have a look and post if I can find them.

BR

Laurie.

Cheers Mark,

The photo I posted looks more like a Merlin engined Seafire. Would it have been a prototype?
It must have looked good seeing them take off from a carrier with RATO, if it did actually happen.

Dave,

This is a well known photograph and I suspect that it is the Press Release shot.

As with all things ‘Press Release’ in wartime, there may well have been a hidden message to the axis powers.

This presumed Seafire III is most probably a/the trials aircraft.

I would be interested to learn of any operational or training use of the Rocket Assisted Take Off Gear on both Merlin and Griffon powered Seafires.

Mark

Cheers Mark,

The photo I posted looks more like a Merlin engined Seafire. Would it have been a prototype?

It must have looked good seeing them take off from a carrier with RATO, if it did actually happen.

Must have been an interesting experience!!

Dave,

Most of the Griffon Seafires had this facility with the hard points built into the structure, just aft of the firewall. The pilot has a toggle to a spring loaded ‘Bowden’ cable to release the RATOG unit after take off.

Rarely used I suspect.

Mark

Oh, I meant to type Seafire before, not Spitfire, sorry, it’s been a long day already and I’m filming tonight till 2.30am. Not looking forward to it.

Dave, I’ve seen pics of a RATO-equipped Seafire 47 before. Mark12 (or someone else) will be able to tell you if they were used operationally, but I can’t remember at present.