Britain's Supermarine Walrus amphibian1,2; "Shagbag"1

Supermarine Walrus amphibian:
Britain's Supermarine Walrus amphibian
Supermarine Walrus amphibian:
Britain's Supermarine Walrus amphibian
Supermarine Walrus amphibian:
Britain's Supermarine Walrus amphibian
Supermarine Walrus amphibian:
Britain's Supermarine Walrus amphibian
Supermarine Walrus amphibian:
Britain's Supermarine Walrus amphibian
     

Design

The Supermarine Walrus was originally designated the Seagull V.1,2 The Walrus' designer was Reginald J. Mitchell and he designed it to be launched by catapult and conduct reconnaisssance.2

The skeleton and skin was made from wood and metal.2

Prototype

The Seagull V prototype first flew on June 21, 1933.1,2 Australia ordered 24 to be operated from it's warships.1 Deliveries began in 1935.1

The first Walrus Mk I flew on March 18, 1936.1

Production

The Royal Air Force (RAF) evaluated the Seagull V and placed an order for the Walrus Mk I in May 1935.1

After the first 310 Seagull Vs and Walrus Mk Is were produced production was transferred to Saunders-Roe starting in late 1939 as Supermarine's factory space was to be dedicated to building Spitfires.1

Variants

Usage

Australia, Britain, and New Zealand used the Supermarine Walrus.1

Shipborne

The Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm deployed the Walrus as a shipborne observation aircraft.1 The Walrus would be catapulted from Royal Navy cruisers and battleships.1 The Australians and New Zealanders also used the Walrus as a shipborne aircraft.1

Search and Rescue

The Royal Air Force (RAF) used the Walrus to rescue shot down pilots.1 It is estimated that the Walrus saved around 5,000 pilots shot down around Britain and 2,500 in the Mediterranean.1

The first full scale air sea rescue operations began in October 1941.1

Squadrons

15 squadrons of Walruses were based in the Azores, Britain, France, Iraq, Italy, Malta, North Africa, Sardinia, Sicily, and Singapore.1

  Supermarine Walrus1 Supermarine Walrus Mk I2 Supermarine Walrus Mk II1
Type Air sea rescue amphibian1
Reconnaissance amphibian1
Reconnaissance2  
Crew 41 42  
Engine (Type) Bristol Pegasus IIM21 Bristol Pegasus II M.22  
OR Pegasus VI1    
Cylinders Radial 91 Radial 92  
Cooling   Air2  
HP IIM2: 6201
VI: 7751
7752  
Propeller blades 41    
Dimensions      
Span 45' 10"1
13.97 m1
45' 10"2  
Length 37' 7"1
11.45 m1
37' 7"2  
Height 15' 3"1
4.65 m1
15' 3"2  
Wing area      
Weight      
Empty     4,900 lb1
2,223 kg1
Loaded   7,200 lb2 7,200 lb1
3,266 kg1
Performance      
Speed at sea level     124 mph1
200 kph1
Speed @ 4,750' /
1,448 m
  135 mph2 135 mph1
217 kph1
Cruising speed     95 mph1
153 kph1
Climb     1,050'/minute1
320 m/minute1
Service ceiling   18,500'2 18,500'1
5,639 m1
Range   600 miles2 600 miles1
965 km1
Armament   2: MG2  
Bow 1: 0.303" MG1    
Amidships 1: 0.303" MG1    
Under wings - bombs or depth charges 500 lb1
227 kg1
   

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
  2. World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
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