Author Topic: Supermarine Walrus (Read 6218 times)

Daryl J. · « **on:** October 08, 2016, 05:21:08 AM »

Increase the wingspan by 50%, various other changes for a high altitude variant.

Just what it would do befuddles me but it would provide some chairs in the sky at least.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #1 on:** October 08, 2016, 05:57:44 AM »

I'm tempted to do a civilian one in bright colours as some sort of island resort transport.

kitnut617 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 08, 2016, 09:04:16 AM »

Airfix has just announced a new tool 1/48 scale kit of the Walrus

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #3 on:** October 09, 2016, 02:43:31 AM »

I think that's what triggered the creation of this thread.

Kelmola · « **Reply #4 on:** October 09, 2016, 05:40:20 PM »

I still remember building the Matchbox kit, and how difficult it was for a beginning modeller to get the wings and struts to align, but the thing had a strange beauty in its ugliness. If I ever decide to go back to WW2 modelling, Walrus will definitely be one of the first subjects (and a nice excuse to learn rigging this time over). Therefore, inspiration strikes:

- Just how big an engine could you mount on the Walrus without the power egg tearing itself free from the mountings? Puller instead of pusher propeller?
- Since the Swordfish could carry RP-3 rails, could the Walrus too? Upgun it too in order to better fight the U-Boot menace? More bombs than it could possibly carry?
- Radar-equipped Walrus, there's plenty of room for scopes'n'stuff in the cabin?
- Vought is too busy building Corsairs to build Kingfishers, so US Navy adopts the Walrus, which is just an excuse to see it in the tri-tone camouflage?
- Captured Walrus in KG200 markings?
- Walrus in Korean War markings, pressed again into service for air-sea rescue role since helicopters of the era didn't have much range?
- A Walrus with a more up-to-date engine and other equipment, and modern guns (thinking of Miniguns here), in service of a PMC/mercenary outfit/undercover SOF unit in the 70's or 80's in a brush war somewhere (note how I didn't mention Rhodesian Air Force... whoops!)
- Post-war civilian use as a boat without wings?

Daryl J. · « **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2016, 10:38:56 AM »

John Lennon's personal aircraft?

Old Wombat · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2016, 01:54:27 PM »

Quote from: Daryl J. on October 10, 2016, 10:38:56 AM

John Lennon's personal aircraft?

During the Sgt Pepper's acid-trip period!

Rickshaw · « **Reply #7 on:** October 11, 2016, 10:55:18 AM »

Quote from: Old Wombat on October 10, 2016, 01:54:27 PM

Quote from: Daryl J. on October 10, 2016, 10:38:56 AM
John Lennon's personal aircraft?

During the Sgt Pepper's acid-trip period!

"We all live in a Yellow Supermarine..."

KiwiZac · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2016, 03:53:34 AM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on October 08, 2016, 05:57:44 AM

I'm tempted to do a civilian one in bright colours as some sort of island resort transport.

Years ago on another forum I was building an old Airfix 1/72 Shagbat as a Greenpeace "scout"/harassment aircraft, painted like the Rainbow Warrior ships: green hull with a rainbow, white wings. I also mocked it up in Microsoft Flight Simulator to test the paint job and it looked good, unfortunately personal issues and then some moves saw the plastic spread far and wide.

Just an idea :)

jcf · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2016, 04:39:01 AM »

The Supermarine Sea Otter was basically an improved Walrus, with the engine installation incorporated
into the upper wing and a tractor propeller..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarine_Sea_Otter

The RN stopped using the Walrus for spotting in 1943 because of improvements in radar and that the aircraft was too slow.

Post-war s few were used by whaling fleets for spotting and Scottish Aviation had one in civil markings.

Volkodav · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2016, 06:39:06 PM »

Which brings us to what is probably my favourite small/medium amphibian the 1948 Seagull

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarine_Seagull_(1948)

MOD EDIT: Fixed the hyperlink. For some odd reason, the software didn't include that last bracket in the link, messing up the link.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #11 on:** October 13, 2016, 02:26:55 AM »

I am with you there. I would love to see a 1/48 kit of the Seagull.

Volkodav · « **Reply #12 on:** October 13, 2016, 08:24:42 PM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on October 13, 2016, 02:26:55 AM

I am with you there. I would love to see a 1/48 kit of the Seagull.

Had it been pushed along a bit it could have served quite effectively as an ASW or even surface attack type with depth charges, bombs and rockets, or even my favourite, the Molins Gun.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #13 on:** May 31, 2020, 02:43:43 AM »

Walrus production? I'm not sure.

Bigger images available if you click on them.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2020, 02:51:45 AM »

Some cool colour shots:

Again, click on them for bigger versions.

kitnut617 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 31, 2020, 03:27:09 AM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on October 13, 2016, 02:26:55 AM

I am with you there. I would love to see a 1/48 kit of the Seagull.

I've got a 1/72 vacuform kit of it, it's a flying boat that I really like the look of.

jcf · « **Reply #16 on:** May 31, 2020, 09:59:41 AM »

The construction pics are of the Saunders-Roe built Walrus Mk.II, the wooden fuselage was also
designed by Saunders-Roe. I believe the photos are of the facility at Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

apophenia · « **Reply #17 on:** May 31, 2020, 10:48:41 AM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on May 31, 2020, 02:43:43 AM

Walrus production? I'm not sure.

That looks very much like Boeing Canada's Sea Island plant (later CPA, Pacific Western, etc. hangar). If I'm right, that's all four of the Boeing C-204 flying boats in one shot (along with fuselage bits for a pair of Boeing 40H-4 mailplanes)

jcf · « **Reply #18 on:** May 31, 2020, 12:30:43 PM »

Quote from: apophenia on May 31, 2020, 10:48:41 AM

Quote from: GTX_Admin on May 31, 2020, 02:43:43 AM
Walrus production? I'm not sure.

That looks very much like Boeing Canada's Sea Island plant (later CPA, Pacific Western, etc. hangar). If I'm right, that's all four of the Boeing C-204 flying boats in one shot (along with fuselage bits for a pair of Boeing 40H-4 mailplanes)

Doh, you're right.

I knew that SARO built the wooden Walruses, saw the water out through the hangar doors and my brain
jumped to Cowes.

I will now go hang my head in shame.

robunos · « **Reply #19 on:** May 31, 2020, 05:42:11 PM »

If I may . . .

http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=9149.msg169585#msg169585 . . .

cheers,
Robin.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #20 on:** June 01, 2020, 03:29:41 AM »

Quote from: jcf on May 31, 2020, 12:30:43 PM

Doh, you're right.
I knew that SARO built the wooden Walruses, saw the water out through the hangar doors and my brain
jumped to Cowes.

I will now go hang my head in shame.

Don't worry Jon - I am with you there. I thought they looked like Walruses but something wasn't quite right hence my comment. It is remarkable the similarity though:

Boeing 204: