Only flying Seafire 17 returns to RNAS Yeovilton after repairs
A rare World War II Seafire 17, the only flying example, has returned to RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset after three years of repairs and a new engine.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A rare World War II naval fighter has returned to Somerset after three years of repairs. The Seafire 17, a single-seat fighter adapted by the Royal Navy to fly from aircraft carriers, is now at RNAS Yeovilton. It has joined the Navy Wings charity collection.
The aircraft is the only flying Seafire 17 in the world. It was built at Westlands and has returned close to where it was made. Its tail carries the code VL, marking its link to Yeovilton, where it flew for a time. The Seafire was developed from the Spitfire as a carrier-capable fighter and served around the world during the Second World War. Wartime footage described it as a deadly fighter available for mid-ocean combat, and it was shown displaying its speed for the first time.
The plane has been modified over the years. Pilots found it challenging at takeoff and landing, especially those new to flying. A typical Seafire pilot in the Second World War might have had only 200 hours of flying experience. One experienced pilot, who has 20,000 hours flying commercially and with the Navy, said he still found the aircraft challenging to fly well. He said wartime pilots would have found it hugely difficult and were very brave to go to war with so few hours.
After repairs and a new engine, the Seafire is ready for air shows around the country. Navy Wings maintains the collection, which costs more than a million pounds a year. The aircraft's fighting days are over. Its role now is to inspire. A pilot said flying a national treasure at displays was a great privilege and enormous fun. The plane is also exhilarating to watch.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| The Seafire 17 is the only airworthy example of its kind and belongs to the charity Navy Wings. | |
| The Seafire 17 returned to RNAS Yeovilton following three years of repairs and the installation of a new engine. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC ONE West framed the story as a local homecoming for a rare naval aircraft. It focused on the Seafire's Westlands build, its Yeovilton tail code VL, and its new role with Navy Wings. The segment mixed archive-style narration with a pilot's account of how demanding the aircraft was to fly.
- “It was obviously built down the road, but it flew from here for a while, which is why it's got VL marked on the tail, which is the code for Yeovilton.”
- “I have 20,000 hours having flown commercially and with the Navy and I find it challenging to fly these aircraft and fly them well.”
- “To be able to fly a national treasure, which this is, at air displays around the country is a great privilege and an enormous fun.”
Broadcast Timeline
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