Added extracts from the book by FAA pilot Henry "Hank" Adlam, "On and Off the Flight Deck: Reflections of a Naval Fighter Pilot in World War II" relating to the Seafire to the Seafire Development page.
Adlam few Wildcats and Hellcats during his operational service during World War II and held a generally contemptious view of the Seafire. But his view as to its value was mollified by its performance as an interceptor with the British Pacific Fleet (and the additon of 89 gallon fuel tanks).
Immediatley after the war he few one for the first time:
Well, I flew the damn thing and found that it was a beautiful machine to fly. An absolute thoroughbred of an aircraft requiring only the most delicate pressures on the controls for it to respond immediately and perfectly.