Supermarine Walrus British Service

Supermarine Walrus in British Service

The Supermarine Walrus was operated by both the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Designed by R. J. Mitchell of Supermarine, the amphibious biplane first flew in 1933 and entered British service in 1935. Although originally intended as a fleet reconnaissance and gunnery-spotting aircraft, the Walrus proved adaptable to a wide variety of roles and became an invaluable asset throughout the war. Approximately 740 aircraft were built.

In Royal Navy service, the Walrus was primarily operated by the Fleet Air Arm from cruisers, battleships, and seaplane tenders. The aircraft could be launched by catapult from warships and recovered from the sea after landing alongside the ship. During the early years of the war, Walruses served aboard numerous vessels, including Town-class and County-class cruisers as well as battleships. Their duties included reconnaissance, artillery spotting, anti-submarine patrols, convoy escort work and communications flights.

Although naval gunnery spotting had been the aircraft’s original purpose, opportunities to perform this role in combat were limited. Walruses nevertheless took part in major naval operations, including the Battles of Cape Spartivento and Cape Matapan, where they directed gunfire and provided reconnaissance. The aircraft also conducted anti-submarine patrols and, from 1941, some were equipped with Air-to-Surface Vessel (ASV) radar, enhancing their ability to detect enemy submarines and surface raiders. In secondary roles, Walruses attacked shore targets during operations in Norway, East Africa and the Mediterranean.

By 1943, improvements in shipborne radar reduced the need for catapult-launched aircraft aboard major warships. As catapults and aircraft handling equipment were removed, many naval Walruses transferred to other duties. The aircraft continued to operate from Royal Navy aircraft carriers, where its exceptionally low landing speed allowed it to land safely despite lacking a tailhook. Walruses were frequently employed for communications and air-sea rescue tasks in support of fleet operations.

The RAF found an equally important use for the Walrus in the air-sea rescue role. Operating with specialist Air Sea Rescue squadrons around the British Isles, the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, Walruses were tasked with recovering downed airmen from the sea. Their amphibious design enabled them to land directly on the water and pick up survivors, often under hazardous conditions. Other aircraft such as Spitfires, Defiants and Ansons located survivors or dropped emergency supplies, while the Walrus completed the rescue. During the war, RAF Walruses rescued well over a thousand Allied airmen, with No. 277 Squadron alone credited with nearly 600 recoveries.