The Griffon was developed at the request of the Fleet Air Arm.
War time aircraft that used the engine were various marks of the Naval Firefly and various marks of Spitfire, Seafire, Spiteful, Seafang, and sole MB.5. The Griffon Spitfire was the result of needing an aircraft to combat the appearance of the FW 190. Highest rated engine was the 101/121/130 version with two stage three speed supercharger installed in the Spiteful and Seafang, 2420 HP, 101 was single prop, the others contrarotating.
Rolls Royce had a project called the FTB (Flying Test Bed) which was built up primarily of P-51 components with the Griffon mounted behind the pilot as with the P-39. Mock up only built as the war ended and jets were seen as the way forward..
