[1] The Seafang was essentially a Spiteful redesigned for Royal Navy carrier use, with the addition of an arrester hook, a contra-rotating propeller to eliminate engine torque effects, and power folding outer wing panels.

[2] The same aircraft was flown by test pilot Mike Lithgow in May 1947, during deck landing trials on HMS Illustrious.

[2] Compared to the Seafire F.47, its performance advantage was not deemed to be enough to disrupt series production of new navalised Gloster Meteor and de Havilland Vampire jet fighters.

Also, the Seafang's low-speed handling characteristics were not as good as hoped, and the contemporary Hawker Sea Fury was preferred as a fleet fighter.

Seafang Mark 31 VG474 was used as a development aircraft for the Supermarine Attacker jet, receiving power-operated ailerons[3] and contra-rotating propellers.