The Supermarine Walrus (originally designated the Supermarine Seagull V) was a British single-engine amphibious biplane reconnaissance aircraft designed by R. J. Mitchell and manufactured by Supermarine at Woolston, Southampton. The Walrus first flew in 1933, the design effort having commenced as a private venture four years earlier. It shared its general configuration with that of the earlier Supermarine Seagull. Having been designed to serve as a fleet spotter for catapult launching from cruisers or battleships, the aircraft was largely employed in other roles, notably as a maritime patrol aircraft and as a rescue aircraft for ditched aircrew. The Walrus featured numerous innovations for the period, being the first British squadron-service aircraft to incorporate in one airframe a fully retractable main undercarriage, completely enclosed crew accommodation and an all-metal fuselage. Early-build aircraft featured the original metal hull design for its greater longevity in tropical conditions, while later-build examples instead used a wooden counterpart to conserve the use of light metal alloys.
Supermarine Walrus Aircraft Documentary
Supermarine Walrus Aircraft Documentary
Теги
supermarinewalrusseaplanesupermarine walrusvickersseagullaviationamphibianhigh speed raf launchesraf bolt headenglish channelsalcombe devon. raf bolt headsalcombe harbourboatflyingroyal navyjohn romainsquadron leader vic hester dfcair sea rescueraf harrowbeerraf mountbattenduxford aerodromesupermarine spitfirerafhistory