Reading level:

Supermarine Walrus

Supermarine · Amphibious Rescue · UK · Interwar (1919–1938)

Supermarine Walrus — Amphibious Rescue
Open in interactive gallery →

The Supermarine Walrus was a British single-engine amphibious biplane — Fleet Air Arm's principal catapult-launched fleet-spotter + air-sea rescue aircraft of WWII. R.J. Mitchell designed the Walrus in 1929-1933 at Supermarine; the prototype first flew on 21 June 1933. About 743 Walruses were built between 1936 and 1944 at Supermarine Woolston + Saunders-Roe Cowes. The aircraft served Fleet Air Arm + RAF Coastal Command + Royal Australian Air Force + 5 other operators 1936-1956.

The Walrus Mk I used a Bristol Pegasus VI 9-cylinder radial engine (775 hp) mounted as a pusher above the upper wing. Maximum speed 217 km/h, range 950 km, service ceiling 5,650 m. Armament: 2-3 × Lewis machine guns + 270 kg of bombs / depth charges. Crew: 3-4 (pilot + observer + telegraphist/gunner). The aircraft used amphibious-biplane configuration — single hull + biplane wings + retractable wheels for runway operations. The Walrus could operate from any reasonable body of water + from carrier catapults — making it Royal Navy fleet's principal spotter aircraft for naval gunnery direction.

Walrus service was extensive. Royal Navy operated ~600 Walruses on cruiser + battleship catapult flights 1937-1945 for fleet-spotter + air-sea rescue roles. RAF Coastal Command rescue squadrons operated ~150 Walruses 1941-1945 — rescuing thousands of downed Allied airmen from the English Channel + North Sea + Mediterranean. The aircraft was retired from Fleet Air Arm service in 1947 + RAF service in 1956. About 3 Walrus airframes survive in 2026 at the RAF Museum + Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Supermarine Walrus was a British amphibian plane — meaning it could land on land or on water. It was designed by Reginald Mitchell, the same man who later designed the famous Spitfire fighter. The plane first flew in June 1933.

The Walrus had one pusher engine mounted above the wings, facing backward. The plane could be catapulted off the deck of a Royal Navy ship. After its mission, it would land in the sea next to the ship and get hoisted back aboard with a crane.

About 743 Walruses were built between 1936 and 1944. The plane is about as long as a city bus. Its top speed was 135 mph and it could carry 2 to 3 machine guns plus some small bombs.

The Walrus is most famous for rescuing pilots who landed in the sea during World War II. It saved hundreds of British, American, and even some German pilots from drowning. After the war, civilian Walruses were used for whale spotting and Antarctic exploration until the mid-1950s.

Fun Facts

  • The Walrus was designed by Reginald Mitchell — the same man who designed the Spitfire.
  • About 743 Walruses were built between 1936 and 1944.
  • It could land on land or on water.
  • Walruses saved hundreds of pilots from drowning in the sea during World War II.
  • The plane could be catapulted off the deck of a Royal Navy ship.
  • Civilian Walruses were used for whale spotting and Antarctic exploration after the war.

Kids’ Questions

What is a catapult?

A catapult on a ship is a powerful machine that throws a plane into the air. The plane sits on the catapult, then a steam or rocket charge fires the catapult forward. In a few seconds, the plane is flying. Catapults let small ships launch planes even without a long runway. Modern aircraft carriers still use catapults today.

Why is the engine on top of the wing?

The Walrus lands on water, so engineers wanted to keep the engine and propeller away from waves and spray. Mounting the engine above the wings, facing backward, kept everything dry. The plane is called a pusher because the propeller pushes from behind instead of pulling from the front.

Variants

Walrus Mk I (basic)
Original production. About 290 built at Supermarine.
Walrus Mk II (Saunders-Roe)
Saunders-Roe-built variant. About 450 built.

Notable Operators

Fleet Air Arm (1937-1947)
Principal user. Royal Navy cruiser + battleship catapult flights for fleet spotter + air-sea rescue.
RAF Coastal Command (1941-1945)
Air-sea rescue role. Rescued thousands of downed Allied airmen.
Royal Australian Air Force + others
Smaller operators. Combined ~80 airframes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the Walrus designed by R.J. Mitchell?

Yes. Reginald J. Mitchell — the designer of the Supermarine Spitfire — designed the Walrus in 1929-1933 as a Supermarine project before his Spitfire work began. Mitchell's amphibious-aircraft design experience (including the Schneider Trophy-winning Supermarine S.6B floatplane) directly informed the Walrus design. The two aircraft are very different (Walrus is a slow patrol amphibian; Spitfire is a high-performance fighter) but share Mitchell's design philosophy of efficient aerodynamic + structural design.

How many lives did the Walrus save?

Thousands. RAF Coastal Command + Royal Navy Walrus air-sea rescue squadrons rescued an estimated 5,000-7,000 downed Allied airmen from the English Channel + North Sea + Mediterranean during WWII. The Walrus's amphibious role allowed it to land on rough water to recover survivors that purely-fixed-wing aircraft could not reach. The type's air-sea rescue role was its most-large in-service contribution to Allied victory.

Sources

See Also