Supermarine Walrus in Action

The Supermarine Walrus was a single-engine amphibious biplane reconnaissance aircraft designed by R. J. Mitchell and operated by the Fleet Air Arm. It also served with the Royal Air Force, RAAF, RNZN, RCAF, and RNZAF.
The Walrus was initially developed for service from cruisers at the request of Australia, and was called the Seagull V; although there was little resemblance to the earlier Supermarine Seagull III. 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 lower wings of this biplane were set in the shoulder position with a stabilising float mounted under each one, and its horizontal tail-surfaces were positioned high on the tail-fin. The single Bristol Pegasus VI radial engine was housed in a nacelle slung from the upper wing and powered a four-blade propeller in pusher configuration. The wings could be folded on ship, giving a stowage width of 17 ft 11 in (5.5 m). One of the more unusual characteristics of the aircraft was that the control column was not a fixed fitting in the usual way, but could be unplugged from either of two sockets at floor level. It became a habit for only one column to be in use; and when control was passed from the pilot to co-pilot or vice-versa, the control column would simply be unplugged and handed over.
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 its presence felt. This usually discouraged the pilot from any future aerobatics on this type.
Armament usually consisted of two Vickers K machine guns, with the capability of carrying 760 lb (345 kg) of bombs or depth charges mounted beneath the lower wings.
The Royal Australian Air Force ordered 24 examples directly off the drawing boards, under the Seagull V 'A2' designation, which were delivered for service from cruisers from 1935; followed by orders from the Royal Air Force with the first production Walrus, K5772, flying on 16 March, 1936. It was also hoped to capitalise on the aircraft's successful exports to Japan, Spain, etc.
A total of 740 Walrus were built in three major variants: the metal-hulled Seagull V and Walrus I, and the wooden-hulled Walrus II. The Walrus was affectionately known as the "Shagbat" or sometimes "Steam-pigeon"; the latter name coming from the steam produced by water striking the hot Pegasus engine.
The first Seagull V, A2-1, was handed over to the Royal Australian Air Force in 1935, with the last, A2-24 delivered in 1937 and served aboard the HMA Ships Australia (MTO [Mediterranian Theatre of Operations]), Canberra (MTO, SWPA, lost at Guadalcanal in 1942), Sydney (MTO, SWPA, lost off the coast of Western Australia 1942), Perth and Hobart.
Walrus deliveries started in 1936 when the first example to be deployed was with the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy, on HMS Achilles (later a victor of the Battle of the River Plate). By the start of World War II the Walrus was in widespread use, and saw service in home waters, the Mediterranean and the Far East. Walrus are credited with sinking or damaging at least five enemy submarines, while RAF use in home waters was mainly in the air-sea rescue role. One Walrus, HD874, (Restored and exhibited at the RAAF Museum, Point Cook, Victoria) was still in service in 1947 with the Australian Antarctic Expedition.
The Irish Air Corps used the Walrus as a maritime patrol aircraft during World War II. One of the Walrus aircraft formerly flown by the Air Corps is preserved, albeit in Royal Navy colours. The aircraft was bought back by the Fleet Air Arm after the war as a training aircraft, and now resides in the RNAS museum in Yeovilton.
General characteristics
Crew: 3-4
Length: 33 ft 7 in (10.2 m)
Wingspan: 45 ft 10 in (14.0 m)
Height: 15 ft 3 in (4.6 m)
Wing area: 610 ft² (56.7 m²)
Empty weight: 4,900 lb (2,220 kg)
Loaded weight: 7,200 lb (3,265 kg)
Powerplant: 1× Bristol Pegasus VI radial engine, 680 hp (510 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed: 135 mph (215 km/h) at 4,750 ft (1,450 m)
Range: 600 mi (965 km)
Service ceiling 18,500 ft (5,650 m)
Rate of climb: 1,050 ft/min (5.3 m/s)
Wing loading: 11.8 lb/ft² (57.6 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.094 hp/lb (0.16 kW/kg)
Armament
2 x Vickers K machine guns
760 lb (345 kg) of bombs and depth charges

[@binaway]

Believe it or not my dad witnessed a Walrus shoot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109 over Crete. It apparently was a very lucky shot that set something on fire. The German pilot was captured and could hardly believe what had happened to him.

[@Alexandros11]

Now that must have been embarrassing

[@BeaufighterGaming]

Hey, two gun turrets is still two gun turrets

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

KZbin incredible comment.

[@archimedesfromteamfortress2]

Now this thing has more air to air kills than the F35!

[@derekheuring4646]

For my 6th birthday my mother took me to the local toy store to pick out my gift. I picked the Airfix Supermarine Walrus model.

[@NanatsukiBenio]

Good Boy! I remember the same with the Avro Lancaster MkI (old revell kit) Love RAF/FAA birds :) Cheers!

[@tobywenman4769]

Not going to lie an airfix walrus sounds like a real fiddle. All those thin struts between the wings and engines

[@welshpete12]

It was easier than it looked , all you did was glue in the lower struts . Then put a drop of glue in the small hole for the top strut in the wing and then just fitted them together. @@tobywenman4769

[@welshpete12]

two shillings well spent ! :-)

[@guycarrwuzright7189]

The Commandos put these to good use in North Africa!

[@Merlin2Stage2Speed]

A late friend of mine, who flew Spitfires with 485 Squadron, was rescued by a Walrus in the English Channel after floating in the frigid water for three hours. His Spitfire had been hit in the glycol tank by German flak over the French Coast - and he only made it back halfway over the channel before the engine overheated and seized - bail out time. He certainly appreciated the rescuing Walrus and it's crew - they took off parallel to the swells running at the time - hell of a bumpy ride!

[@Northside777]

I built the Walrus model by Airfix as a kid and since then its been one of my ugly airplane favorites. Great flyby and touchdown (splashdown?) scenes. Near the end of this clip I'm sure the crew got a kick out of the close-up posed shots from just outside the cockpit, spotting the downed pilot, though inter-cut with real rescue footage. The tired rescued airman looked authentic, as if he probably had bailed out and bobbed up and down in a dingy for a while. Thanks for posting this!

[@danlefou]

Here's the poem Chris Wren wrote (after Lewis Carroll) to accompany his delightful cartoon of the Walrus. 'The time has come' the Walrus said, 'To talk of many things - Of pusher-screws and "Shagbats" And strutted, swept-back wings. I'm an aeronautical wonder And if that is not enough, Then I've wheels that I can land on When the sea's a bit too rough.' The Walrus was also known as "Pusser's Duck", the "Flying Gas Ring" and the "Steam Pigeon".

[@superhive5250]

Great job Bomberguy!Who couldn't love the old Walrus! Thanks

[@sebgreenfield8800]

My late grandfather flew these from HMS Exeter in the Battle of the River Plate.

[@Pithead]

There is an old Walrus pilot called Ron in the same hospital ward with my dad at the moment. Ron is frail and senile but makes us laugh everyday. Excellent upload this. I've downloaded it and will ask Ron's family if its ok to show him.

[@myMotoring]

I hope he is still around now

[@haunbeuii1635]

@@myMotoring unfortunately, I doubt it

[@johncliffe39]

Reginald Mitchell who designed the Spritfire designed this amazing plane.

[@SlideRulePirate]

My Dad was in the navy during WWII, escorting north-atlantic convoys in HMS Pimpernel to start with then in Air-Sea Rescue boats later on covering returning bombers. He used to tell stories about the number of times they had to tow Walrus' back because the chop was preventing them from getting up to take-off speed. Touch down to pick up a downed flyer then find that you're in need of rescue yourself. That's rough.

[@exb.r.buckeyeman845]

Yes, the sea takes NO prisoners.

[@HootOwl513]

Happenned to Curtiss Seagulls, PBYs, Kingfishers, in the Pacific. Albatrosses in Korea. Rescue plane lands in the water, secures victim. Seastate changes to unfavorable conditions. Rescue craft now needs own rescue. Some pilots saw it their duty to land and save the brother pilot with faith in their heart about their all being rescued eventually. There was a lot more survival equipment on board the rescue craft than in a pilot's rubber dinghy. So they were setting up a floating base camp, until recovered by a bigger aircraft, or friendly surface vessels. Unless Poseidon objects, then all bets are off.

[@A20havoc]

Bomberguy...you are a Godsend because I crave these sort of things but don't get to watch em on TV and the video's/DVD's are limited what they sell. Thank you so very much for your dedication to our Father's, Grandfather or even Great Grandfather's who served in the air arms! And thank you for keeping this video(and others)...HISTORY alive in the avaiation field. Hats off to you and please keep them coming.

[@davidhandyman7571]

When I was young, probably about 6 years old, my father took my brother on a joy flight on a Walrus. It was at or near Lake Entrance, Victoria, Australia. It would have been around 1960. The owner had purchased a number of large unopened crates from the military surplus. When he opened the crates, he found two complete Walrus' semi-assembled. He finished assembling one and used the other for parts. I remember it being very noisy and I could see nothing but the inside of the plane as I was too small to see out. When the plane was moving on the water, water sprayed through the seals in the skin.

[@zeboczulu]

Excellent video thanks.My father trained on these Fleet Air Arm May1943!

[@peterkirgan6850]

This aircraft was a sitting duck aboard hmas sydney 2 when blasted away by the crew of the german ship kormoron by no 4 gun lest we forget rip to all the Aussies that served on this fateful day!!!!

[@MisterMac4321]

Curious that the film clip fails to mention that starting in March, 1941, the Walrus was outfitted with the ASV (Air to Surface Vessel) airborne radar set. This provided the Royal Navy with an almost unique catapult-launched search plane with night reconnaissance capabilities.

[@MechelenManiac]

Many a downed airman or seamen in rafts were grateful for the sound and sight of this aircraft.

[@danlefou]

I once showed a former Walrus pilot around the "Shagbat" (actually an Aussie Seagull V but painted as a British Walrus) in the Battle of Britain Museum. The guy was in tears much of the time, running his hands over the structure and controls. He said it was like meeting a dear old friend after half a lifetime . I hear the type is held in such affection by most of those who worked in and on it.

[@gingermegs138]

If The HMAS Sydney would have launched its Walrus they may have noticed upon close inspection the Kormorrant was a German Raider. The Germans got so close to the Sydney Broadside they said they could see the Sydney getting the Walrus ready to take off on the catapult with the propeller running but then it was stood down.

[@the10thleper]

Nice, I have always liked this old bird.

[@Bomberguy]

Hold tight - Andrew Sisters

[@alneal100]

The Walrus was fully aerobatic. It could do aileron rolls. However, they usually had water in the bilge, which would become a problem if they were inverted.

[@jean-mariejm7404]

I read that during one of the first prototype flights, the pilot did also a looping! (reported in wikipedia article also)

[@nickjung7394]

Aerobatic....imagine being inside a contraption like this!

[@flyboy8492]

this and the kingfisher are my favorite props.

[@daviddavies2072]

Thank you for this video, brilliant 👍

[@pwil3058]

I love amphibious aircraft and the Walrus is my second favourite after the Catalina.

[@stranraerwal]

Peter Williams: not to forget the lovely "Stranraer", the equally lovely Dornier Do 18 and the most unusual "Savoya Marchetti S55"

[@b.r.buckeyeman460]

My Dad told me years ago,that these aircraft were nicknamed "Shagbats",with reference to the Cormorant sea bird.

[@tedf1471]

I think with reference to the seabird called a Shag!

[@TramcarTrev]

My Dad was in 24 Sqn RAAF and somehow found himself in one of these on Submarine patrol on the NSW coast... They found a sub near Eden ( long way south) and the sub stayed on the surface and opened fire on them, they went down to wave height and hid behind the subs conning tower to avoid being blown to smitherines.... They took photots and flew back to their base at Broulee, the sub was never seen again.... If the sub had dived they could have dropped the 2 depth charges on it...

[@oddballsok]

hid behind the conning tower of the sub? Ho da hell could he do that ??? Something like han Solo did with his Mill falcon on a imperial destroyer ?? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmrCfHyBrLKBZ9km36s

[@pwil3058]

I think that a couple of depth charges would do for a surfaced sub as they're designed for a shallow target (e.g. periscope depth) and are aimed visually.

[@PlaneNuts2024]

My late Grandfather used to fly these when he was on Air Sea rescue duties. He loved this aircraft.

[@glennwheeler984]

Mine too... I used to joke with him that he deserved a medal for just getting into a Walrus.

[@oldcremona]

Great video. Gotta admire those tough Brits and Aussies that flew old biplanes in WW2.

[@jamespatterson765]

My late father was the telegraphist/Tail gunner (TAG) on the walrus of HMAS SYdney at the Bardia 1941.He served on the Sydney from 1939 until taken off 1/5/41. He did not go down with the ship .He never won any medals but it is known that he shot down a Ita;lian aircraft prior to themselves being shot down and spending a few days in the desert until picked up by LRDG

[@christophercook723]

And they could spell got to properly.

[@Catlover-kz8pj]

Great video, thanks for posting. Not sure where you got those dimensions from though. I have the Walrus Mk.I AP technical manual from 1940 right here (i.e. the manual that came with the aircraft for its operation), length was 38 feet, folded width 17 feet 7 inches.

[@jimbyrne1844]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@AlfredoArbe]

I didnt know a walrus has been credited with a vic to this day! may be could be interesting for fleet air arm historians

[@thebluegreengoose]

Liked the looks of this amphibian but never saw it fly. Make good radio control model I think.

[@pierstheoneandonly]

Great post. Witty too, using this song. : ^ )

[@Jigaboo123456]

Great clip,Bomberguy, and the music fits perfectly!

[@CaesarInVa]

@Bomberguy I should have known that you would know the answer to that question! By the way, I LOVE your channel! Gregory Peck was awesome in Twelve O'Clock High!

[@Iowahorse]

Another fantastic Vid! Thanks!

[@allenmckenzie8611]

saved a great number of lives,great aeroplane

[@wn6904k]

WOW..........great video from WW2, one more great video from you....thanks!!!!

[@86razrose]

They used to have a derelict Shagbat at my village before it got taken away for restoration.

[@jacktattis1190]

A plane largely forgotten as was the Wellesley

[@petersaupe7455]

Slightly confused start to this film,mixing up Walrus and Seagull aircraft.Those with pusher props are Walrus and tractor props are Seagulls.There are other differences but that,s the easiest to spot.I like the Walrus, also cars with the engine behind the driver and three wheeled cars.I served on HMRAFV Seagull an 120 ft Seal class rescue,recovery and target towing vessel in 1970/71.

[@rogernicholls2079]

It was called the seagull when it was designed for the Australian navy.

[@alneal100]

I built a Airfix model of the Walrus as a kid too! (1/72 scale) The struts were a chore on such a small scale. I read somewhere that the Walrus was structural very strong and could do aileron rolls.....but the hull tended to leak, so water went everywhere. The Walrus reminds me of my ex mother in law...........loud and obnoxious and extremely homely. Actually, she was more ugly than homely.

[@AlfredoArbe]

100% agree.love warbirds and hate war.

[@b43xoit]

Someone should come up with a better excuse to make cool, powerful machines than having to kill each other all the time.

[@paulstewart1182]

Amazing

[@rudidedog243]

Anybody know what the ships aircrew did between flights, granted they maintained the aircraft, but did they have any sailing tasks or did they just sit around drinking tea and eating ? .

[@carsnapper]

Amazing! I thought that request would be a very long shot. Do you have a source of info/history for James Hankinson? Sorry, but the abbreviations are lost on me. (And Google!) It appears to me the plane is being flown out of a Pacific island, they were certainly very useful bits of kit. The only James Hankinson I can find is the Canadian CEO of Ontario Power Generation.

[@carsnapper]

Do you or any of your other viewers know who the pilot is in the second half of this clip?

[@noel2x]

nice vid. 10/10.

[@revfred2620]

Not pretty . . . but damn are they functional.

[@binaway]

@binaway Correction. Dad says it was Norway

[@360mega]

your dad is a kafir

[@thetempesttom]

@alneal100 Just wondering with the model did you 'rig' it up? :)

[@letmeouttamycage]

Wonder how many bogies got shot down by these!

[@peterclark4685]

Does anyone know the length of a deck/land-based takeoff run for these? My guess is minimal 200' (67m). Also, was its frame strong enough for a tail hook?

[@e1amajor]

Don't no about the walrus but the follow on otter did and a tail wheel not a lot of changes we had them for asr on the carrier sydney

[@alneal100]

To the tempesttom: I'm not sure your meaning of "rig it up"

[@exb.r.buckeyeman845]

alneal100, as a bi plane, most wings were braced with adjustable wires to keep things in tension and adjustment, but as a model we used cotton and glue, the word being “ rigged “

[@mikego18753]

Bet they used a lot of WD40.

[@carmium]

The Andrews Sisters could sure sing, but boy, they wrong goofy songs for them to sing. "Shrimp and rice... very nice" 14 times??

[@Jigaboo123456]

I loved it! My dad was in the RAF during ww2, he and my heavily preganant =carminium: mum and my then 18 month old big brother were blitzed out of their home a month before he was called up. Ended up on the streets of Clydebank, Scotland with nothing but their birth and marriage certificates. Life in Britain then was very grim and survival very uncertain, so hopeful, tender or plain silly songs like "shrimps and rice" were very popular. I guess it was a like Moses getting glimpse of a rainbow after 40 days in The Ark. But you're right, they "sure could sing".

[@scottgoodman4776]

I think this is called Skat singing. I've no idea why. It was popular in the late 30's and 40's. It has something to do with black people but I don't know what.

[@КонстантинКузнецов-л8т]

Они поют: Мама - Путин, Путин?

[@highmountain0]

shrimp and rice

[@dragonbutt]

My single most favorite, duck style plane, ever!

[@pervertt]

Not sure if downed pilots cared much about seafood like oysters and lobsters, much less shrimp and rice.