Supermarine Walrus
Supermarine · United Kingdom · first flew 1933 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Walrus was a British single-engine amphibious biplane designed by R. J. Mitchell, used mainly for maritime observation and patrol.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.45 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engine amphibious biplane with a boat hull and a pusher propeller
- Lower wings set at shoulder height, each with a stabilising float underneath
- Tailplane high on the fin and braced by struts
An amphibious biplane with a pusher engine mounted above the hull, wing floats, and a tailplane braced high on the fin.
Specifications
- The Supermarine Walrus has a length of 11.45 m (38 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.97 m (46 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 217 km/h (135 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Supermarine began it as a private venture for a catapult-launched observation aircraft, and the prototype first flew on 21 June 1933. It was originally called the Seagull V and was the first British service aircraft with a fully retractable undercarriage and an all-metal fuselage.
Variants
It was built as the Seagull V and Walrus, with 740 produced between 1936 and 1944.
Where you'll see it
It served with the Royal Australian Air Force, Fleet Air Arm, RAF, and New Zealand and Irish forces. It flew anti-submarine patrols and air-sea rescue in the Second World War.
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