Supermarine Walrus
Walrus | |
---|---|
A 1943 photograph of a Walrus being launched from HMS Bermuda, a Fiji-class light cruiser | |
Role | Amphibious maritime patrol aircraft |
National origin | United Kingdom |
Manufacturer | Supermarine |
Designer | R. J. Mitchell |
First flight | 21 June 1933 |
Introduction | 1935 |
Primary users | Royal Navy Irish Air Corps Royal Air Force Royal Australian Air Force |
Produced | 1936–1944 |
Number built | 740 |
Developed from | Supermarine Seagull III |
The Supermarine Walrus (or the Supermarine Seagull V, its original name) was a British single-engine amphibious biplane designed by Supermarine's R. J. Mitchell at their works at Woolston, Southampton. Primarily used as a maritime patrol aircraft, it was the first British squadron-service aircraft to incorporate an undercarriage that was fully retractable, crew accommodation that was enclosed, and a fuselage completely made of metal.[1]
The Walrus first flew in 1933, the design effort having commenced as a private venture four years earlier. It shared its general arrangement with that of the earlier
The Supermarine Seagull V entered service with the Royal Australian Air Force in 1935. The type was subsequently adopted by the Fleet Air Arm, the Royal Air Force (RAF), the Royal New Zealand Navy, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Walruses operated against submarines throughout the Second World War, and were also adopted by the RAF Search and Rescue Force to recover personnel from the sea. It was intended for the Walrus to be replaced by the more powerful Supermarine Sea Otter, but this was not implemented. Following the end of the war, the Walrus continued to serve as a military aircraft, and some aircraft operated in a civil capacity in regions such as Australia and the Antarctic. The Walrus was succeeded in its air-sea rescue role by the first generation of helicopters.
Development
The Supermarine Walrus, originally called the Supermarine Seagull V, was initially developed by
Supermarine began construction of a prototype during 1930, but due to other more pressing commitments did not complete it until 1933.
On 29 July Supermarine handed the aircraft (re-marked as N-2) over to the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment at Felixstowe.[7] Over the following months extensive trials took place; including shipborne trials aboard the Renown-class battlecruiser HMS Repulse and the Queen Elizabeth-class battleship HMS Valiant carried out on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy.[3] There were also catapult trials carried out by the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough,[8] when the Seagull V became the first piloted aircraft in the world to be launched by catapult, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Sydney Richard Ubee.[9]
The strength of the aircraft was demonstrated in October 1935, when a Seagull V carrying the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet, Roger Backhouse, landed in the water in Portland Harbour with its wheels still unretracted. The aircraft's hull flooded following the impact of the landing, which caused it to flip over, but Backhouse and the crew managed to escape with minor injuries. An automatic horn and indicator lights were subsequently fitted, to ensure the pilot checked the wheels before landing.[3][10] The machine was later repaired and returned to service.[11] Soon afterwards it became one of the first aircraft to be fitted with an undercarriage position indicator on the instrument panel.[12] Test pilot Alex Henshaw later stated that the Walrus was strong enough to make a wheels-up landing on grass without much damage, but also commented that it was "the noisiest, coldest and most uncomfortable" aircraft he had ever flown.[13]
Design
Air frame
The Type 236 Supermarine Walrus was a single-engine amphibious biplane,[14] principally designed to conduct maritime observation missions. The all-metal hull—an innovation for its day—was constructed from an anodised alloy, with stainless steel forgings for the catapult spools and mountings. Metal construction was used because experience had shown that wooden structures deteriorated rapidly under tropical conditions.[3][1][15]
Although the aircraft typically flew with one pilot, there were positions for two.[16] The control column was not fixed, but could be inserted in either of two sockets in the floor, so that the column could be passed between the pilots.[3] Behind the cockpit, there was a small cabin with work stations for the navigator and radio operator.[9]
Wings
The fabric-covered plywood wings were of equal span, with a noticeable
The Seagull V was the first British military aircraft to be fitted with a retractable undercarriage; the Airspeed Courier being the first British aircraft to be fitted with this feature. A senior technical assistant at Supermarine suggested the idea of completely retracting the wheels into the wings, so as to make the aircraft more streamlined.[20]
Powerplant
The single 620 hp (460 kW)
The Seagull's pusher configuration[15] had the advantages of keeping the engine and propeller further out of the way of spray when operating on water and reducing the noise level inside the aircraft. The propeller was safely away from any crew standing on the front deck, when picking up a mooring line.[16] The engine, which was mounted on struts above the fuselage,[17] was offset by three degrees to starboard, to counter any tendency of the aircraft to yaw due to unequal forces on the rudder caused by the vortex from the propeller.[3][15] A solid aluminium tailwheel was enclosed by a small water-rudder.[22]
Armament
The armament consisted of a pair of .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers K machine guns, one each in the open positions in the nose and rear fuselage.[19] In addition, there were provisions for carrying either bombs or depth charges mounted beneath the lower wings.[3][23]
Operation from ships
Prior to the 1930s, aircraft catapults had been installed to any naval ship capable of launching an aircraft from sea; by 1934, 25% of the FAA's fleet of aircraft were catapult-launched. A Walrus, positioned and waiting up on a ship's catapult, could be launched at short notice.[24] With the right weather conditions, a Walrus was capable of being thrown clear fast enough to be flying before clearing the ship's deck.[25]
When flying from a warship, the Walrus would be recovered by touching-down alongside, then lifted from the sea by a ship's
Landing and recovery was a straightforward procedure in calm waters, but could be difficult if the conditions were rough.
Like other flying boats, the Walrus carried marine equipment for use on the water, including an anchor and a boat-hook.[27]
Production
The RAAF ordered 24 Seagull Vs in 1933, to use as spotter-reconnaissance aircraft for the RAN. These were delivered during 1935 and 1936, with most of the aircraft being transported to Point Cook, Victoria, for use by the Seaplane Training Flight RAAF.[28]
The first order for 12 aircraft for the RAF was placed in May 1935; the first production aircraft,
A total of 740 Walruses were built in three major variants: the Seagull V, Walrus I and Walrus II. Of these, 462 aircraft were constructed by Saunders-Roe in Weybridge, Surrey,[31][32] with fuselages built by Elliotts of Newbury.[33] This variant had a wooden hull, which was heavier but economised on the use of light alloys. Saunders-Roe license-built 270 metal Mark Is and 191 wooden-hulled Mark IIs.[34] The Walrus was called the "Shagbat", the "Steam Pigeon", and other names by its crews.[35][3]
The successor to the Walrus was the
Operational history
Initial use
The first Seagull V, A2-1, was handed over to the Royal Australian Air Force in 1935, with the last being delivered in 1937.[37] The type served aboard the County-class cruisers HMAS Australia and Canberra, and the Leander-class cruisers Sydney, Perth and Hobart.[38][3]
Walrus deliveries to the RAF started in 1936 when the first example to be deployed was assigned to the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, on Achilles[39]—one of the Leander-class light cruisers that carried one Walrus each.[38][40] The Royal Navy Town-class cruisers carried two Walruses during the Second World War,[41] and Walruses also equipped the York-class and County-class heavy cruisers.[42][43] Some battleships, such as the Queen Elizabeth-class battleship HMS Warspite and the Nelson-class battleship Rodney carried Walruses, as did the seaplane tender HMAS Albatross.[44][45]
By the start of the war, the Walrus was already in widespread use. Although its principal intended use was gunnery spotting in naval actions, this only occurred twice: Walruses from the battlecruiser
By 1943, catapult-launched aircraft on cruisers and battleships were being replaced by radar, which occupied far less space on a warship. Walruses continued to fly from Royal Navy carriers for air-sea rescue and general communications. The low landing speed of the Walrus meant they could make a carrier landing despite having no flaps or tailhook.[50]
Other military uses
The Walrus was used by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force for air-sea rescue missions. The specialist
In 1939, two Walruses were used at
A Walrus was shipped to Arkhangelsk with other supplies brought on the British Convoy PQ 17. It was supplied to the 16th air transport detachment, and flew to the end of 1943.[55]
After the war, Walruses continued to see limited military use with the RAF and foreign navies. Eight aircraft were operated by Argentina, with two flying from the cruiser
Post-war civilian use
A Supermarine Walrus was used experimentally in the 1940s by a
Four Walruses were bought from the RAAF by Amphibious Airways of Rabaul. Licensed to carry up to ten passengers, they were used for charter and air ambulance work, remaining in service until 1954.[3][59] During the first part of the 1960s, the remaining Walrus A2-4, registered for both private use and charter work, was provided with improved radio equipment and additional passengers seating. It was used to transport tourists and cargo out to the Great Barrier Reef and along the eastern coast of Australia.[60]
Variants
- Seagull V
- Original metal-hull version. Production—27 aircraft.[59]
- Walrus I
- Metal-hull version. Production by Supermarine—281 aircraft:[59]
- Walrus II
- Wooden-hull version. Production by Saunders-Roe—270 aircraft.[59]
Operators
Military operators
- French Navy
- Aeronavale[65]
- Royal New Zealand Air Force
- No. 5 Squadron RNZAF
- Seaplane Training Flight
- Royal New Zealand Navy
- Royal Navy – Fleet Air Arm (FAA)[68]
- 700 Naval Air Squadron
- 701 Naval Air Squadron
- 702 Naval Air Squadron
- 710 Naval Air Squadron
- 711 Naval Air Squadron
- 712 Naval Air Squadron
- 714 Naval Air Squadron
- 715 Naval Air Squadron
- 718 Naval Air Squadron
- 720 Naval Air Squadron
- 737 Naval Air Squadron
- 743 Naval Air Squadron
- 749 Naval Air Squadron
- 754 Naval Air Squadron
- 764 Naval Air Squadron
- 765 Naval Air Squadron
- 773 Naval Air Squadron
- 777 Naval Air Squadron
- 779 Naval Air Squadron
- 789 Naval Air Squadron
- 810 Naval Air Squadron
- 820 Naval Air Squadron
- 1700 Naval Air Squadron
- 1701 Naval Air Squadron
- Royal Air Force
- No. 3 Squadron RAF[61]
- No. 89 Squadron RAF
- No. 91 Squadron RAF[61]
- No. 198 Squadron RAF[61]
- No. 269 Squadron RAF
- No. 275 Squadron RAF[61]
- No. 276 Squadron RAF[61]
- No. 277 Squadron RAF[61]
- No. 278 Squadron RAF
- No. 281 Squadron RAF
- No. 282 Squadron RAF
- No. 283 Squadron RAF
- No. 284 Squadron RAF
- No. 288 Squadron RAF[61]
- No. 292 Squadron RAF
- No. 293 Squadron RAF[61]
- No. 294 Squadron RAF
- No. 624 Squadron RAF
Civilian operators
- Kenting Aviation[69]
- Two aircraft were embarked on board of whaling ship Willem Barentsz .[70]
- Vestlandske Luftfartsselskap[63]
Surviving aircraft
Three examples of the Walrus survive in museums, in addition to a single privately-owned aircraft. Wreckage that is thought to be that of the Walrus assigned to the cruiser HMAS Sydney was photographed when the wreck of the vessel was rediscovered in 2008.[72]
Seagull V A2-4
One of the original Australian Seagull Vs, A2-4 is on permanent display at the Royal Air Force Museum London. Built at Woolston in 1934, it arrived in Australia in early 1936, where it was initially allocated to No. 101 Flight RAAF (shortly afterwards becoming No. 5 Squadron RAAF). The aircraft had various pre-war duties, including survey work and flying from HMAS Sydney. It served for most of the war with No. 9 Squadron RAAF in Australia.[73]
In 1946, A2-4 was sold to civilian owners, and five years later was allocated the civil registration VH–ALB. During the 1950s and 1960s, it was flown by various Australian private owners before being badly damaged in a take-off accident at
Walrus HD874
HD874 is kept at the
Post-war, it was placed in storage until 1947, when it was issued to the
Walrus L2301
The Walrus displayed at the
On 9 January 1942 N.18 was stolen by four Irish nationals who intended to fly to France to join the Luftwaffe. However, they were intercepted by RAF Spitfires and escorted to RAF St Eval; the aircraft and its occupants were returned to Ireland.[3][76]
After the war, N.18 was transferred to
Walrus W2718
After wartime RAF service, Walrus W2718 was operated by Somerton Airways on the
Specifications (Supermarine Walrus I)
Data from Supermarine aircraft since 1914,[79] Supermarine Walrus I & Seagull V Variants[80]
General characteristics
- Crew: 4
- Length: 37 ft 7 in (11.46 m) on wheels
- Wingspan: 45 ft 10 in (13.97 m)
- Height: 15 ft 3 in (4.65 m) on wheels
- Wing area: 610 sq ft (57 m2)
- Empty weight: 4,900 lb (2,223 kg)
- Gross weight: 7,200 lb (3,266 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 8,050 lb (3,651 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Pegasus VI9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 750 hp (560 kW)
- Propellers: 4-bladed wooden fixed-pitch pusher propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 135 mph (217 km/h, 117 kn) at 4,750 ft (1,448 m)
- Cruise speed: 92 mph (148 km/h, 80 kn) * Alighting speed: 57 mph (50 kn; 92 km/h)
- Range: 600 mi (970 km, 520 nmi) at cruise
- Service ceiling: 18,500 ft (5,600 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,050 ft/min (5.3 m/s)
- Time to altitude: 10,000 ft (3,000 m) in 12 minutes 30 seconds
- Wing loading: 11.8 lb/sq ft (58 kg/m2)
- Power/mass: 0.094 hp/lb (0.155 kW/kg)
Armament
- Guns: 2× .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers K machine guns (one in nose, one behind wings)
- Bombs: 6x 100 lb (45 kg) bombs
- or 2x 250 lb (110 kg) bombs
- or 2x 250 lb (110 kg) Mk.VIII depth charges
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
- List of aircraft of World War II
- List of aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm
- List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force
- List of flying boats and floatplanes
Notes
References
- ^ a b Brown 1971, p. 28.
- ^ Morgan & Burnett 1981, p. 13.
- ^ ISBN 978-1783400546.
- ^ Andrews & Morgan 1981, p. 141.
- ^ Andrews & Morgan 1981, p. 142.
- ^ Mitchell 2002, p. 135.
- ^ a b Morgan & Burnett 1981, p. 14.
- ^ London 2003, p. 141.
- ^ ISSN 0015-3710.
- ^ Nicholl 1966, pp. 15, 25–26.
- ^ Morgan & Burnett 1981, p. 16.
- ^ Mitchell 2002, p. 136.
- ^ Shelton, John (30 June 2012). "Mitchell's Walrus – 'he looped the bloody thing'". R J Mitchell and Supermarine. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ^ Brown 1971, pp. 3, 6.
- ^ a b c d e London 2003, p. 140.
- ^ ISSN 0015-3710.
- ^ a b Marriott 2006, p. 16.
- ^ Andrews & Morgan 1981, p. 144.
- ^ a b Brown 1971, p. 7.
- ^ Nicholl 1966, p. 15.
- ^ Brown 1971, p. 6.
- ^ Pegram 2016, p. 139.
- ^ Andrews & Morgan 1981, pp. 150, 155.
- ^ Nicholl 1966, pp. 12, 31.
- ^ Nicholl 1966, p. 45.
- ^ Nicholl 1966, p. 48.
- ^ Nicholl 1966, p. 20.
- ^ Brown 1971, p. 31.
- ^ Thetford 1994, p. 321.
- ^ Nicholl 1966, p. 29.
- ^ "Saunders Roe". BAE Systems. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ Andrews & Morgan 1981, p. 159.
- ^ London 1988, p. 31.
- ^ London 2003, p. 179.
- ^ Nicholl 1966, p. 34.
- ^ London 2003, p. 232.
- ^ Nicholl 1966, pp. 27–28.
- ^ a b Nicholl 1966, p. 67.
- ^ Nicholl 1966, p. 56.
- ^ "HMS Achilles". New Zealand History. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ Waters 2019, p. 313.
- ^ a b Nicholl 1966, p. 52.
- ^ Brown 2011, p. 8.
- ^ Ballantyne 2013, p. 81.
- ^ Nicholl 1966, pp. 66–67.
- ^ London 2003, p. 177.
- ^ London 2003, pp. 177, 182.
- ^ London 2003, p. 178.
- ^ "Italian Advance in Somaliland". The Times. No. 48691. London. 10 August 1942. p. 4.
- ^ London 2003, p. 181.
- ^ London 2003, p. 182.
- ^ a b London 2003, p. 183.
- ^ Nicholl 1966, p. 116.
- ^ Brown 1971, p. 34.
- ^ Kulikov, Viktor P. (2004). "British aircraft in Russia" (PDF). Air Power History. No. 1. Air Force Historical Foundation.
- ^ a b c London 2003, p. 213.
- British Pathé. 1946. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ISSN 0015-3710.
- ^ a b c d e Brown 1971, p. 47.
- ^ Simpson 2007, p. 8.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Nicholl 1966, p. 208.
- ^ London 2015, pp. 91–92.
- ^ a b c Nicholl 1966, p. 182.
- ^ a b Nicholl 1966, p. 181.
- ^ Brown 1971, p. 40.
- ^ Kightly & Wallsgrove 2004, p. 116.
- ^ Spear 2023, p. 327.
- ^ Brown 1971, pp. 47–48.
- ^ Kightly & Wallsgrove 2004, p. 128.
- ^ "Walk Around – Supermarine Seagull / Walrus". International Plastic Modellers' Society Nederland. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
- ^ a b c Fiddian, Paul (1 May 2018). "Walrus Makes a Move". Pilot. Kelsey Media Ltd. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023.
- ^ "P09281.982". Australian War Mamorial. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
- ^ a b c d Simpson, Andrew (2007). "Individual History: Supermarine Seagull V A2-4/VH-ALB" (PDF). Royal Air Force Museum. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
- ^ Air Force History Branch 2021, p. 58.
- ^ a b "Supermarine Walrus HD 874". RAAF Museum Point Cook. 2010. Archived from the original on 3 January 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Supermarine Walrus (L2301)". Fleet Air Arm Museum. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
- ^ Peter Chamberlain. "1945–1963". Haddenham Airfield: A history of a small Buckinghamshire airfield. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
- ^ "Over 20 aircraft to discover and explore". Solent Sky Museum. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- ^ Andrews & Morgan 1981, pp. 141–155.
- ^ Brown 1971, p. 48.
Sources
- Air Force History Branch (2021). Aircraft of The Royal Australian Air Force. Big Sky Publishing. ISBN 978-19224-8-804-6.
- Andrews, C. F.; Morgan, Eric B. (1981). Supermarine Aircraft since 1914. London: Putnam. ISBN 978-03701-0-018-0.
- Ballantyne, Iain (2013). Warspite, From Jutland Hero to Cold War Warrior. Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword Maritime. ISBN 978-1-84884-350-9.
- Brown, David (1971). Cain, Charles W. (ed.). Profile 224: Supermarine Walrus & Seagull Variants (PDF). Vol. 11. Windsor, UK: Profile Publications. OCLC 464172311.
- Brown, Les (2011). County Class Cruisers. Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword Books Limited. ISBN 978-18483-2-127-4.
- Kightly, James; Wallsgrove, Roger (2004). Supermarine Walrus & Stranraer. Sandomierz, Poland; Redbourn, UK.: Mushroom Model Publications. ISBN 978-83-917178-9-9.
- London, Peter M. (1988). Saunders & Saro Aircraft Since 1917. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 978-0-85177-814-3.
- London, Peter M. (2003). British Flying Boats. Stroud, UK: Sutton Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7509-2695-9.
- London, Peter M. (April 2015). "Aeroplane Database: Supermarine Walrus". Aeroplane.
- Marriott, Leo (2006). Catapult Aircraft: The Story of Seaplanes Flown from Battleships, Cruisers and Other Warships of the World's Navies, 1912–1950. Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword Aviation. ISBN 978-18441-5-419-7.
- Mitchell, Gordon (2002). R.J. Mitchell: Schooldays to Spitfire. London: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7524-3727-9.
- Morgan, Eric B.; Burnett, Charles (1981). "Walrus... amphibious angel of mercy". ISSN 0143-5450.
- Nicholl, George William Robert (1966). The Supermarine Walrus: The Story of a Unique Aircraft (PDF). London: G.T. Foulis. OCLC 562476296.
- Pegram, Ralph (2016). Beyond the Spitfire: The Unseen Designs of R.J. Mitchell. Cheltenham, UK: The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7509-6515-6.
- Spear, Joanna (2023). The Business of Armaments: Armstrongs, Vickers and the International Arms Trade, 1855-1955. Cambridge: ISBN 978-10092-9-752-3.
- Thetford, Owen (1994). British Naval Aircraft Since 1912. London: Putnam. ISBN 978-0-85177-861-7.
- Waters, Conrad (2019). British Town Class Cruisers: Design, Development and Performance: Southampton and Belfast Classes. Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword Books Limited. ISBN 978-15267-1-888-4.
Further reading
- Franks, Norman (2017). The RAF Air-Sea Rescue Service in the Second World War. Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword Books Limited. ISBN 978-14738-6-130-5.
- Lezon, Ricardo Martin & Stitt, Robert M. (January–February 2004). "Eyes of the Fleet: Seaplanes in Argentine Navy Service, Part 2". Air Enthusiast. No. 109. pp. 46–59. ISSN 0143-5450.
External links
- Flying the Supermarine Walrus by Flt Lt Nick Berryman (self-published)
- A 2013 picture of the privately owned Walrus, G/RNLI.
- The Walrus in action – a 1935 news clip from British Movietone
- Information about the Supermarine Seagull V from the Royal Australian Navy website
- Further information and other images from Naval Encyclopedia