WORLD WAR 2 IN REVIEW: Supermarine Walrus: British Amphibian Float Plane

Supermarine Walrus, YO-S, Korba, Cape Bon, Tunisia, 1943.

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.

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 Supermarine Seagull. Having been designed to serve as a fleet spotter launched by catapult from cruisers or battleships, the aircraft was employed as a maritime patrol aircraft. Early aircraft featured the original metal hull design for its greater longevity in tropical conditions, while the later variant, the Supermarine Walrus II, instead used a wooden hull to conserve the use of light alloys.

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.

The Supermarine Walrus, originally called the Supermarine Seagull V, was initially developed by Supermarine as a private venture in response to a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) requirement for an observation seaplane to be catapult-launched from cruisers. Designed by a team led by Supermarine's chief designer, R.J. Mitchell, it resembled Mitchell's earlier Supermarine Seagull III in general layout.

Supermarine began construction of a prototype during 1930, but due to other more pressing commitments did not complete it until 1933. The prototype of the Seagull V, known as the Type 228, following modifications to the design, was first flown by "Mutt" Summers on 21 June 1933. Five days later, the aeroplane (now marked N-1) made an appearance at the SBAC show at Hendon, where Summers made an unscheduled loop during the display, startled the spectators (Mitchell among them).

On 29 July Supermarine handed the aircraft (re-marked as N-2) over to the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment at Felixstowe. 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. There were also catapult trials carried out by the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, when the Seagull V became the first piloted aircraft in the world to be launched by catapult, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Sydney Richard Ubee.

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. The machine was later repaired and returned to service. Soon afterwards it became one of the first aircraft to be fitted with an undercarriage position indicator on the instrument panel. 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.

The Type 236 Supermarine Walrus was a single-engine amphibious biplane, principally designed to conduct maritime observation missions. The all-metal hull—an innovation for its day—was constructed from an anodized 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.

Although the aircraft typically flew with one pilot, there were positions for two. 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. Behind the cockpit, there was a small cabin with work stations for the navigator and radio operator.

The fabric-covered plywood wings were of equal span, with a noticeable sweepback, and had stainless–steel spars and wooden ribs. The lower wings were set in the shoulder position with a stabilizing float mounted under each. The elevators were high on the tail-fin and braced on either side by 'N' struts. The wings could be folded, giving a stowage width a little greater than that of the tailplane.

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.

The single 620 hp (460 kW) Pegasus II M2 radial engine was housed at the rear of a nacelle mounted on four struts above the lower wing and braced by four shorter struts to the centre-section of the upper wing. This powered a four-bladed wooden pusher propeller. The nacelle contained the oil tank, arranged around the air intake at the front to act as an oil cooler, as well as electrical equipment, and had a number of access panels for maintenance. A supplementary oil cooler was mounted on the starboard side. Fuel was carried in two tanks in the upper wings.

The Seagull's pusher configuration 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. The engine, which was mounted on struts above the fuselage, 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. A solid aluminum tailwheel was enclosed by a small water-rudder.

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. In addition, there were provisions for carrying either bombs or depth charges mounted beneath the lower wings.

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. With the right weather conditions, a Walrus was capable of being thrown clear fast enough to be flying before clearing the ship's deck.

When flying from a warship, the Walrus would be recovered by touching-down alongside, then lifted from the sea by a ship's crane. The Walrus lifting gear was kept in a compartment in the section of wing directly above the engine. A crew member would climb onto the top wing and attach this to the crane hook.

Landing and recovery was a straightforward procedure in calm waters, but could be difficult if the conditions were rough. The usual procedure was for the parent ship to turn through around 20° just before the aircraft touched down, creating a 'slick' to the lee side of ship on which the Walrus could alight, this being followed by a fast taxi up to the ship before the 'slick' dissipated.

Like other flying boats, the Walrus carried marine equipment for use on the water, including an anchor and a boat-hook.

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.

The first order for 12 aircraft for the RAF was placed in May 1935; the first production aircraft, serial number K5772, flying on 16 March 1936. In RAF service the type was named Walrus and initial production aircraft were powered by the Pegasus II M2, while from 1937 the 750 hp (560 kW) Pegasus VI was fitted. Production aircraft differed in minor details from the prototype; the transition between the upper decking and the aircraft sides was rounded off, the three struts bracing the tailplane were reduced to two, the trailing edges of the lower wing were hinged to fold 90° upwards rather than 180° downwards, and the external oil cooler was omitted.

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, with fuselages built by Elliotts of Newbury. This variant had a wooden hull, which was heavier but economized on the use of light alloys. Saunders-Roe license-built 270 metal Mark Is and 191 wooden-hulled Mark IIs. The Walrus was called the "Shagbat", the "Steam Pigeon", and other names by its crews.

The successor to the Walrus was the Sea Otter, which was similar in design but more powerful. Sea Otters never completely replaced the Walrus, and both were used for air-sea rescue during the latter part of World War II. A post-war replacement for both aircraft, the Seagull, was cancelled in 1952, with only prototypes being constructed. By that time, air-sea rescue helicopters were taking over the role from small flying-boats.

The first Seagull V, A2-1, was handed over to the Royal Australian Air Force in 1935, with the last being delivered in 1937. The type served aboard the County-class cruisers HMAS Australia and Canberra, and the Leander-class cruisers Sydney, Perth and Hobart.

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—one of the Leander-class light cruisers that carried one Walrus each. The Royal Navy Town-class cruisers carried two Walruses during the Second World War, and Walruses also equipped the York-class and County-class heavy cruisers. 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.

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 Renown (the lead ship of her class) and the Town-class cruiser Manchester were launched in the Battle of Cape Spartivento, and a Walrus from the Town-class Gloucester was used in the Battle of Cape Matapan. The main task of ship-based aircraft was patrolling for Axis submarines and surface-raiders. By March 1941, Walruses were being deployed with (ASV) radar systems to assist in this. During the Norwegian Campaign and the East African Campaign, Walruses saw limited use in bombing and strafing shore targets. In August 1940, a Walrus operating from HMAS Hobart bombed and machine-gunned the Italian headquarters at Zeila in British Somaliland.

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.

The Walrus was used by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force for air-sea rescue missions. The specialist RAF Air Sea Rescue Service squadrons flew a variety of aircraft, using Spitfires and Boulton Paul Defiants to patrol for downed aircrew, Avro Ansons to drop supplies and dinghies and Walruses to pick up them up from the water. RAF air-sea rescue squadrons were deployed to cover the waters around the United Kingdom, the Mediterranean Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Over 1000 aircrew were picked up during these operations, with 277 Squadron responsible for 598 rescues.

In 1939, two Walruses were used at Lee-on-Solent for ASV trials, with the dipole antennae fixed on the aircraft's interplane struts. In 1940, a Walrus was fitted with a forward-firing Oerlikon 20 mm cannon, intended as a counter-measure against German submarines. The gun was operated successfully, but the idea was abandoned when it was found that the flash blinded the pilot.

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.

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 La Argentina until 1958. Other aircraft were used for training by the French Navy's Aviation navale.

A Supermarine Walrus was used experimentally in the 1940s by a whaling company, United Whalers. Operating in the Antarctic Ocean, it was launched from the factory ship Balaena, which was equipped with a surplus naval catapult. The aircraft used were fitted with sockets to power the electrically-heated suits worn by the crew under their immersion suits. A cabin heater was fitted in the aircraft to help keep the crews warm during flights that could last over five hours. A Dutch whaling company embarked Walruses, but never flew them.

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. 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.

Variants

Seagull V: Original metal-hull version. Production—27 aircraft.

Walrus I: Metal-hull version. Production by Supermarine—281 aircraft.

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)

Maximum takeoff weight: 8,050 lb (3,651 kg)

Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Pegasus VI 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 750 hp (560 kW)

Propellers: 4-bladed wooden fixed-pitch pusher propeller

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

Walrus II: Wooden-hull version. Production by Saunders-Roe—270 aircraft.

Military Operators

Argentina

Argentine Navy

Argentine Naval Aviation

Australia

Royal Australian Air Force

No. 5 Squadron RAAF

No. 9 Squadron RAAF

No. 11 Squadron RAAF

No. 101 Flight RAAF

Canada

Royal Canadian Air Force

Royal Canadian Navy

Egypt

Egyptian Navy

France

French Navy

Aeronavale

Ireland

Irish Air Corps

New Zealand

Royal New Zealand Air Force

No. 5 Squadron RNZAF

Seaplane Training Flight

Royal New Zealand Navy

HMNZS Achilles

HMNZS Leander

Turkey

Turkish Air Force

United Kingdom

Royal Navy – Fleet Air Arm (FAA)

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

No. 89 Squadron RAF

No. 91 Squadron RAF

No. 198 Squadron RAF

No. 269 Squadron RAF

No. 275 Squadron RAF

No. 276 Squadron RAF

No. 277 Squadron RAF

No. 278 Squadron RAF

No. 281 Squadron RAF

No. 282 Squadron RAF

No. 283 Squadron RAF

No. 284 Squadron RAF

No. 288 Squadron RAF

No. 292 Squadron RAF

No. 293 Squadron RAF

No. 294 Squadron RAF

No. 624 Squadron RAF

Civilian Operators

Australia

Amphibious Airways

Canada

Kenting Aviation

Netherlands

Two aircraft were embarked on board of whaling ship Willem Barentsz.

Norway

Vestlandske Luftfartsselskap

United Kingdom

Somerton Airways

United Whalers

Sources

Air Force History Branch (2021). Aircraft of The Royal Australian Air Force. Big Sky Publishing.

Andrews, C. F.; Morgan, Eric B. (1981). Supermarine Aircraft since 1914. London: Putnam.

Ballantyne, Iain (2013). Warspite, From Jutland Hero to Cold War Warrior. Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword Maritime.

Brown, David (1971). Cain, Charles W. (ed.). Profile 224: Supermarine Walrus & Seagull Variants (PDF). Vol. 11. Windsor, UK: Profile Publications.

Brown, Les (2011). County Class Cruisers. Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword Books Limited.

Kightly, James; Wallsgrove, Roger (2004). Supermarine Walrus & Stranraer. Sandomierz, Poland; Redbourn, UK.: Mushroom Model Publications.

London, Peter M. (1988). Saunders & Saro Aircraft Since 1917. London: Conway Maritime Press.

London, Peter M. (2003). British Flying Boats. Stroud, UK: Sutton Publishing.

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.

Mitchell, Gordon (2002). R.J. Mitchell: Schooldays to Spitfire. London: Tempus Publishing.

Morgan, Eric B.; Burnett, Charles (1981). "Walrus... amphibious angel of mercy". Air Enthusiast. No. 17. Stamford, UK: Pilot Press Ltd. pp. 13–25.

Nicholl, George William Robert (1966). The Supermarine Walrus: The Story of a Unique Aircraft (PDF). London: G.T. Foulis.

Pegram, Ralph (2016). Beyond the Spitfire: The Unseen Designs of R.J. Mitchell. Cheltenham, UK: The History Press.

Spear, Joanna (2023). The Business of Armaments: Armstrongs, Vickers and the International Arms Trade, 1855-1955. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Thetford, Owen (1994). British Naval Aircraft Since 1912. London: Putnam.

Waters, Conrad (2019). British Town Class Cruisers: Design, Development and Performance: Southampton and Belfast Classes. Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword Books Limited.

Further Reading

Franks, Norman (2017). The RAF Air-Sea Rescue Service in the Second World War. Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword Books Limited.

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.

A Supermarine Walrus amphibian airplane being launched from the catapult deck of HMS BERMUDA, a FIJI-class light cruiser. The aircraft has just left the catapult. 1943.

Supermarine Walrus serial number K5783 from the first production batch from HMNZS LEANDER, c. 1938. This plane was lost due to accident in July 1939.

A Supermarine Walrus, piloted by Lieutenant (A) S. Lawrence, lands the on deck of a British aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean. Lawrence had just rescued under fire the pilot of a Grumman Hellcat, which had been shot down while attacking Japanese positions on the Nicobar Islands.

The actor Ralph Richardson, who served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Fleet Air Arm during World War II, was filming onboard HMS Formidable in Gibraltar. 30 May 1943. The aircraft is a Supermarine Walrus.

Supermarine Walrus Mark I (no serial number visible) of Nos. 276 or 277 Squadrons RAF, on the ground at Warmwell, Dorset.

Supermarine Walrus being hoisted onto HMS Rodney.

HM The King inspecting Fleet Air Arm personnel on the hangar deck of HMS Manchester 6 June 1942. A Supermarine Walrus is visible inside the hangar.

Supermarine Walrus crews of 'C' Flight, No. 624 Squadron RAF, in conference prior to a mine-reconnaissance flight from Leghorn, Italy. The unit was supporting operations carried out by the 12th Minesweeping Flotilla for marking the boundaries of enemy minefields in the Gulf of Genoa. Left to right: Warrant Officer K B Harfield of Newbury; Warrant Officer V Hall of Hove; Flight Sergeant R Hayes of Warrington; Flight Sergeant R Smith of London; Lieutenant J Orr, RNVR, of Frome; Flight Lieutenant W B Dobree of London; Flight Sergeant R M Donaldson of Motherwell. 1945.

A Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft takes off at dawn from HMS Argus. The silhouetted figure with the flag on the left is the Flight Deck Officer, 'Wings', who signals pilots that they are clear to take off.

Some of the Ship's Company of HMS Anson watch the arrival of their new aircraft, a Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft, as it reports for duty to Britain's latest battleship after arriving at the Fleet anchorage. One of the aircraft's crew is sitting on the top wing fixing the Walrus to the crane cable so it can be winched aboard.

A Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft taxiing up to HMS Warspite after returning from a sweep in the Indian Ocean. A crew member is sitting on the top wing to the winch cable to the aircraft when it arrives alongside the battleship. An Illustrious class aircraft carrier can be seen moored in the background. Alongside her is another vessel, possibly a hospital ship, and HMS Ludlow. A cruiser is moored aft of these vessels and a motor cutter is making its way from this group of ships towards the camera.

A Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft being hoisted on board HMS Warspite after a sweep in the Indian Ocean. One of the aircraft's crew is standing on the top wing. An Illustrious class aircraft carrier can be seen moored in the background. Alongside her is another vessel, possibly a hospital ship, and HMS Ludlow. A cruiser is moored aft of these vessels and a motor cutter is making its way from this group of ships towards the camera.

HM King George VI, wearing the uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, inspecting a Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft and its crew at the Royal Naval Air Station of Hatston during his four day visit to the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow. A Fairey Albacore can be seen in the background.

The Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft from HMS Warspite is catapulted from the ship at the start of an anti-submarine patrol off the Seychelles. An aircraft carrier can be seen sailing in the background.

Hoisting a Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft aboard the battleship HMS King George V after it had completed a patrol over Northern waters during convoy duty.

The crew; pilot, observer, and air gunner, report to the Commanding Officer on getting out of their Supermarine Walrus aircraft on board the aircraft carrier HMS Argus. Note the member of the ship's crew in the cockpit.

A Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft landing on the flight deck of HMS Argus after a patrol in the Atlantic. Ground staff wait in the nets at the side. On the right in the distance, the Flight Deck Officer is directing the pilot of the aircraft with signal bats.

In an Icelandic fjord, a Supermarine Walrus aircraft of the cruiser HMS Belfast (not visible) is being paddled in to approach the crane. One member of crew is sat in the hatch in front of the cockpit whilst another is sat in the amidship hatch.

A repaired Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft being lowered into the sea for trials from the repair carrier HMS Unicorn at Trincomalee. Note the crew member sat on the top wing.

Fleet Air Arm Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft based at Arbroath, flying in close formation.

Men of HMS King George V training for a possible landing party. The aircraft hangars on board the battleship can be seen in the background. Inside one of them the tail of the Supermarine Walrus aircraft can be seen.

A Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft being hoisted from the catapult deck of HMS Prince of Wales. The hangar door is open and two of the battleship's twin 5.25 inch gun turrets can be seen next to the aircraft.

A view from inside the hangar of HMS Prince of Wales showing a Supermarine Walrus aircraft on deck.

A Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft, which was one of the spotting aircraft used during the bombardment of Genoa and Spartivento, prepares to be launched from the catapult on HMS Sheffield. Two crew members can be seen in the cockpit whilst a large crowd has gathered in the background to watch the launch. "Spotter of Spartivento" is written beneath the cockpit. Walrus Mk I, L2228, Royal Navy, "Spotter of Spartivento", HMS Sheffield, May 1941.

A Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft, which was one of the spotting aircraft used during the bombardment of Genoa and Spartivento, at the far end of its catapult about to be launched from HMS Sheffield. A ship's cutter can be seen in the foreground. Walrus Mk I, L2228, Royal Navy, "Spotter of Spartivento", HMS Sheffield, May 1941.

A Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft waits to be hoisted on board HMS Sheffield after a flight. One of the crew members is sat on the top wing of the aircraft whilst another is hanging out of the side of the cockpit holding a rope that has been passed to them.

Framed by the entrance of its hangar, the Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft of HMS Suffolk is out on the catapult deck receiving attention from the maintenance staff whilst the ship is on Arctic Patrol. This cruiser along with HMS Norfolk played a crucial role in the shadowing the Bismarck.

The Supermarine Walrus aircraft of HMS Suffolk being lowered into the water during the chase of the German battleship Bismarck, which Suffolk spotted and shadowed. One of the aircraft's crew can be seen stood in the hatch at its front whilst two others can be seen in the cockpit.

Supermarine Walrus, K8341 aboard British cruiser York visiting San Francisco, August 1938. Note the top left wing bashed in by hitting the side of the ship while swinging back and forth on the crane. This was common on the pre-war catapult aircraft from retrieval at sea when the ship was rolling back and forth. 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.

A Walrus Mark I of No. 276 Squadron RAF based at Harrowbeer, Devon, taxiing toward a pilot in the water during an air/sea rescue exercise in the English Channel.

An elephant pulling a Supermarine Walrus aircraft into position at a Fleet Air Arm station, 1944.

An aircraft handling party learning to handle a Supermarine Walrus on the catapult training ship HMS Pegasus, originally named HMS Ark Royal, Lamlash, Scotland, September 1942.

A Supermarine Walrus being catapulted from the catapult training ship HMS Pegasus, Lamlash, Scotland, September 1942. It leaves the ship at about 70mph.

Another view of the Supermarine Walrus being catapulted from the catapult training ship HMS Pegasus, Lamlash, Scotland, September 1942.

Recovering the aircraft after being catapulted from the catapult training ship HMS Pegasus, Lamlash, Scotland, September 1942. The observer gives the sign that he has hooked on.

Practicing a towed recovery from the catapult training ship HMS Pegasus, Lamlash, Scotland, September 1942.

A Supermarine Walrus towed into position for hoisting onto the catapult training ship HMS Pegasus, Lamlash, Scotland, September 1942.

A Supermarine Walrus being hoisted after letting the net go, onto the catapult training ship HMS Pegasus, Lamlash, Scotland, September 1942.

Detail of the undercarriage of the prototype Supermarine Seagull V (N2), 29 March 1934.

A Supermarine Walrus from HMS Howe.

Lowering of the Supermarine Walrus aircraft for a reconnaissance flight on the battleship HMS Rodney, 1940.

A Supermarine Walrus taking off on patrol passing a hospital ship anchored off Mers-el-Kebir.

"Morning on the Tarmac" by Erik William Ravilious. Two Walrus aircraft, one only partially visible, sit on the runway with some personnel in the background, 1941.

"Walrus Aircraft on the Slipway" by Eric William Ravilious, 1941. A view along a coastal slipway showing two Walrus aircraft moving onto the land, attended by a man with flags.

A Supermarine Walrus of No. 283 Squadron RAF unit taxis across a landing ground in Tunisia.

"Clear lower deck" on board HMS Rodney. As many of the ship's company as can leave their work to gather on the upper deck to listen to a special message from their captain. Among other things he is telling them that their ship has been adopted by the London Bankers. Note the Supermarine Walrus aircraft on top of one of the battleships 15-inch gun turrets.

Supermarine Walrus, X9498 'B', of No. 284 Squadron RAF undergoing maintenance at Cassibile, Sicily. Hawker Hurricane Mark IIC, KW980, of the Mediterranean Air Command Communications Unit based at Maison Blanche, Algeria, can also be seen, parked in front of the medieval tower which served as the airfield control tower.

Supermarine Walrus Mark Is of 'C' Flight No. 293 Squadron RAF Detachment, on the ground at Nettuno, Italy: X9506 C is parked in front of R6547 X. In the foreground an American water bowser is sprinkling the surface of the landing ground in order to suppress the dust. Behind the Walruses, Supermarine Spitfire Mark IXs of No. 93 Squadron Detachment undergo repair and maintenance.

Supermarine Walrus, X9498 'B', of No. 284 Squadron RAF undergoing maintenance at Cassibile, Sicily. Parked behind them and partly obscured is Hawker Hurricane Mark IIC, KW980, of the Mediterranean Air Command Communications Unit based at Maison Blanche, Algeria, while in the background can be seen the medieval tower which served as the airfield control tower.

Warrant Officer J R Berry (wireless operator) and Flight Sergeant E J Holmes (pilot), an experienced air-sea rescue crew, stand in front of their Supermarine Walrus Mark I, X9506 'C', of 'C' Flight, No. 293 Squadron RAF Detachment at Nettuno, Italy. Berry and Holmes were both recipients of the Distinguished Flying Medal for their work with No. 284 Squadron RAF, and flew several more successful rescue sorties after transferring with their aircraft to 293 Squadron in April 1944. The rescue tally on the X9506's nose shows 23 aircrew extricated from the waters around Italy.

Supermarine Walrus Mark I, R6547 X, of 'C' Flight, No. 293 Squadron RAF Detachment, taxiing to its dispersal at Nettuno, Italy, following a search and rescue sortie off Anzio. Behind it is parked a Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX of No. 93 Squadron RAF Detachment.

Personnel of No. 284 Squadron RAF, an air/sea rescue unit, standing in front of one of their aircraft, Supermarine Walrus, X9506 'C', at Cassibile, Sicily. Aircrew in the front row are (left to right); Sergeant J D Lunn (pilot), Sergeant C S Taylor (wireless operator/air gunner), Warrant Officer N Pickles (w.op/ag), Flying Officer R Eccles (pilot), Flight Sergeant J W Bradley (w.op/ag) and Flight Sergeant E J Holmes (pilot): ground crew in the back row are (left to right); AC1 Radford, Flight Sergeant R C Glew, Corporal J Warrington, Leading Aircraftmen S Waight, J Price, J H Crowther and H Walker, and Corporal J E Newall.

Royal Navy Supermarine Walrus flying boats aboard the heavy cruiser HMS Exeter (68), in the 1930s.

A Supermarine Walrus seaplane of the Fleet Air Arm being hauled ashore from the Great Sound at Royal Naval Air Station Bermuda at Boaz Island (connected to the Royal Naval Dockyard on neighboring Ireland Island) during the Second World War. Circa 1942.

A Supermarine Walrus flying boat about to land on the flight deck of HMS Victorious during a patrol off the coast of Iceland.

The Supermarine Walrus aircraft of HMS Mauritius on patrol over a convoy.

A Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft from HMS Mauritius lands on the sea after her patrol flight and makes her way towards the cruiser. A cloud of spray is trailing the aircraft.

A Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft just leaving the catapult of HMS Mauritius. Several troopships can be seen on the horizon.

A Supermarine Walrus aircraft being catapulted from HMS Mauritius.

A Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft at the end of its catapult, about to be launched from HMS Mauritius.

A pilot in a dinghy waves a flag to an Air Sea Rescue Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft circling overhead during a training exercise.

Supermarine Walrus and Fairey Seafox seaplanes at Royal Naval Air Station Bermuda in the North Yard (the fortified original yard) of HM Dockyard Bermuda on Ireland Island in the Imperial fortress colony of Bermuda on the 1 May, 1938. The air station would be moved to Boaz Island at the start of the Second World War, when its operation, along with that of the remainder of the Fleet Air Arm, was transferred from the Royal Air Force to the Royal Navy.

Personnel and aircraft of No. 276 Squadron RAF assembled at Harrowbeer, Devon, to show the resources needed to mount a single air-sea rescue sortie. The aircraft are, in front, an Avro Anson, a Supermarine Spitfire and, at the rear, a Supermarine Walrus. The Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader R F Hamlyn, formerly a fighter pilot with 13 confirmed aerial victories, stands in the foreground.

Supermarine Walrus on display for the public.

Cockpit of a Supermarine Walrus.

Cockpit detail of a Supermarine Walrus.

View of the cockpit of a Supermarine Walrus from above.

View of the fuselage of a Supermarine Walrus, looking aft.

View of pilot's seat and cockpit window of a Supermarine Walrus.

Control pedals of a Supermarine Walrus.

Detail view of cockpit interior of Supermarine Walrus.

Interior view of Supermarine Walrus.

View of cockpit from above of Supermarine Walrus.

Pilot's controls of a Supermarine Walrus.

View of pilot's controls and seat of a Supermarine Walrus.

Pilot's instrument panel of a Supermarine Walrus.

View of interior of Supermarine Walrus looking forward towards the cockpit on the upper level.

Supermarine Walrus. Note P-38 Lightning in left background.

Supermarine Walrus, W2757, ZE-O, No. 293 Squadron RAF, Pisa airfield, Italy, 1944.

HMAS Australia with its Walrus seaplane.

RAAF Seagull Mk 5, No 9 Fleet Cooperation Squadron, A2-7, aboard cruiser HMAS Sydney.

RNZAF Seaplane Training Flight Walrus, NZ158 formerly X9512, Auckland, 30 September 1944.

RAAF Seagull Mk V, A2-1, assigned to cruiser HMAS Australia.

RAAF Seagull Mk V, A2-2, Black 076, assigned to cruiser HMAS Perth, 1935.

RAAF Seagull Mk V, A2-9, catapulted from the cruiser HMAS Australia, 1936.

RAAF Seagull Mk V, ZA-W, No 8 Communications Unit, Australia.

RNZAF SeagulL Mk V, NZ151, Black A, over New Zealand.

RNZAF Seagull Mk V, NZ152, Black B, over New Zealand.

Supermarine Walrus amphibian catapulted off HMS Exeter.

Supermarine Walrus being towed by an Indian "tractor", SouthEast Asia.

Supermarine Walrus MK I, W2788, Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm.

Walrus Mk I, P2310, G9G, Fleet Air Arm, No. 712 Naval Air Squadron.

Walrus Mk I, L2189, No. 712 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, 4th Cruiser Squadron, HMS Birmingham, 1938.

Walrus Mk I, L2253, J9-G, No. 714 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, bogged down in sand, usually assigned HMS Manchester, 1939.

Walrus Mk I, W3079, No. 764 Naval Air Squadron, Seaplane Training Unit, Fleet Air Arm, Lawrenny Ferry, Milford Haven.

Walrus Mk I, Fleet Air Arm, assigned to HMS Prince of Wales.

Walrus Mk I, L2317, Fleet Air Arm, HMS Southampton, North Atlantic, 1939.

Walrus Mk II, W3070, AQ-N, No. 276 Squadron, RAF, rescuing a pilot in the English Channel, North Sea, 1941.

Walrus Mk II, HD908, BA-D, No. 277 Squadron, RAF, Digby.

Walrus Mk II, HD925, PV-S, Royal Navy, awaiting scrapping but was sold.

Walrus Mk I, K5775, Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment, Felixstowe.

Walrus Mk I, Rescue Girl, No. 71 Wing, Admiralty Islands, September 1944.

Walrus Mk I, YQ-H, RAAF.

Walrus Mk I, P5658, AQ-M, No. 276 Squadron, RAF.

Walrus Mk I No. 284 Squadron, RAF, Norman Pickles DFC, Sicily 1943.

Walrus Mk I, RAF. An unusual view of a Walrus highlighting some of the aircraft's novel features. Note how the hinge point of the biplane is located directly either side of the fuselage, and the pusher arrangement of the engine. This aircraft is most likely flying over reasonably friendly territory as both normally open gun positions are sealed down with hinged lids.