SuperMarines Walrus RAF

Item#: FMPSMWRAF

MSRP Price: $299.95

Factory Direct Price: $199.95

The Walrus was developed from the Seagull, a three-seat amphibian fleet spotter first developed in the early 1920s. A decade later the RAAF issued a specification for a similar aircraft, and Supermarine responded with the Seagull V, a much improved version of the earlier aircraft. The new Seagull V was powered by a Pegasus engine in a pusher configuration. The wings were of the same size as on the Seagull II, but with the number of struts reduced from twelve to eight, and the engine carried on the inner four struts. The open cockpit of the Seagull II was replaced with a enclosed cockpit. In August 1934 the Australians place an order for twenty four Seagull Vs, some of which were still in service as late as 1943.

The RAF used the Walrus as an air-sea rescue aircraft. No.276 Squadron at Harrowbeer was the first to get the type, using it alongside longer range land planes. The downed airmen would be spotted by fast fighter aircraft, supplies dropped from Avro Ansons, and finally be picked up by the Walrus. At least 1,000 British and Allied airmen were rescued by the Walrus, with most coming from RAF Bomber Command and the USAAF 8th Air Force.

Your model will be made exactly as shown in the photographs. If you would like to change this model in any other way, please visit the Custom Model section of our website to commission a personalized model to be built.