Supermarine Walrus

Supermarine Walrus
Description
RoleReconnaissance amphibian
Crew3-4
First FlightJune 21, 1933
Entered Service1935
ManufacturerSupermarine
Dimensions
Length33 ft 7 in10.2 m
Wingspan45 ft 10 in14.0 m
Height15 ft 3 in4.6 m
Wing area610 ft²56.7 m²
Weights
Empty4,900 lb2,220 kg
Loaded7,200 lb3,265 kg
Maximum takeoff lb kg
Powerplant
EngineBristol Pegasus VI
Power680 hp510 kW
Performance
Maximum speed135 mph @ 4,750 ft215 km/h @ 1,450 m
Combat range600 miles965 km
Ferry range miles km
Service ceiling18,500 ft5,650 m
Rate of climb1,050 ft/min320 m/min
Wing loading11.8 lb/ft²57.6 kg/m²
Power/Mass0.094 hp/lb0.16 kW/kg
Armament
Guns2 × Vickers 'K' (1 in bows, 1 aft)
Bombs/depth charges760 lb345 kg

The Supermarine Walrus was a reconnaissance amphibian designed by R. J. Mitchell and operated by the Fleet Air Arm. It also served with the Royal Air Force and the RAAF and RNZAF. Developed from the earlier Supermarine Seagull amphibian exported to Japan, Spain, etc. it was delivered for service from cruisers from 1935.

It was designed to be launched from ship-borne catapults, and was the first amphibious aircraft in the world to be launched by catapult with a full military load. The wings could be folded on ship, giving a storage width of 17 ft 11 in (5.5 m).

740 Walrus were built and they saw service in home waters, the Mediterranean and the Far East. Walrus are credited with sinking or damaging at least 5 enemy submarines. Some of them were still in service in 1947.

As the Walrus was stressed to a level suitable for catapult-launching, rather surprisingly for such an ungainly-looking machine, it could be looped and bunted, whereupon any water in the bilges would make it's present felt. This usually discouraged the pilot from any future aerobatics on this type.

The Walrus was affectionately known as the 'Shagbat' or sometimes 'Steam-pigeon', the latter name coming from the steam produced by water falling on the hot Pegasus engine.

External link

Related content
Related Development Supermarine Seagull
Similar Aircraft
Designation Series
Related Lists List of aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm


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