Britain's Supermarine Walrus amphibian1,2; "Shagbag"1
Supermarine Walrus amphibian: |
Supermarine Walrus amphibian: |
Supermarine Walrus amphibian: |
Supermarine Walrus amphibian: |
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
- Prototype: 11
- Seagull V: 241
- Walrus Mk I: 5551
- Walrus Mk II: 1911
- Total: 7442, 7711
- Manufacturer: Supermarine (310)1, Saunders-Roe1,2 (461)1
- Production: 1936 - 19442
Variants
- Seagull V: Original designation of the Walrus.1
- Walrus Mk I: Had metal hull.1
- Walrus Mk II: Had wooden hull.1
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:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
