Due to cooling problems found in the Perseus engine, the engine was changed for production aircraft to the Bristol Mercury XXX which drove a three-bladed propeller.
Due to the end of the war, 300 of them were cancelled in July 1946. They served during the World War II both with the Royal Air Force, being the No.277 Squadron the first unit to operate it in November 1943, and the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, where they entered service one year later, joining the 1700 Naval Air Squadron in November 1944. Other RAF units which were also equipped with the Sea Otter were the No.278, 279, 281, 282, 292 squadrons and No. 1350, 1351 and 1352 flights. During World War II, they saw service in Home Waters, the Far East, Australia and the Admiralty Islands.
After the World War II, the Sea Otter was kept in service until the early 1950s. They took part in the Korean War operating from Royal Navy's carriers performing the S&R role.
Its intended replacement, the Supermarine Seagull (which will have its own post), never went beyond the prototype stage and every Sea Otter of RAF and FAA was replaced mainly by helicopters like the Westland-Sikorsky Dragonfly in the very early 1950s, as they already proved to be better in the S&R role. The Sea Otter was one of the few (if not the only) biplane serving with UN forces during the Korean War.
Many Sea Otters were converted for civilian use after the World War II. The cabin was soundproofed and fitted with heating. Seating for four passengers was installed as well as a chemical toilet and a stowage for baggage. As they were intended to be used as bush airplanes in remote areas, versatility was emphasized. To allow cargo to be carried, the cabin floor was strengthened and fitted with lasing points and the passenger seats were made easy to remove.
Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarine_Sea_Otter
2. http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/military/sea_otter.htm
3. http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_supermarine_sea_otter.html
4. https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205189529
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