Armstrong Whitworth Tadpole

Westland Aircraft

Industry	Aerospace
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Aircraft

The Westland Walrus was a British reconnaissance and spotting aircraft produced by Westland Aircraft.

Design and development

In 1919, the Royal Navy required a three-seat aircraft for spotting and reconnaissance missions. To reduce costs, the design was based on partially completed airframes of the Airco DH.9A, which were abundant following the conclusion of the First World War and subsequent order cancellations. The initial modification was undertaken by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft, who introduced an observer position and removed wing stagger, resulting in the Armstrong Whitworth Tadpole.

Westland later assumed responsibility for further refinement, creating the Walrus by replacing the DH.9A’s Liberty engine with a 450 hp (336 kW) Napier Lion II powerplant. Retaining the single-engine, two-bay biplane configuration of its predecessor, the Walrus featured an additional cockpit for an observer/radio operator situated behind the gunner's station. The observer was also provided with a prone position within a ventral pannier for enhanced observation capabilities. Designed with operational versatility in mind, the aircraft included a jettisonable undercarriage, flotation bags, and hydrovanes to facilitate safe water landings, alongside arresting gear to support carrier landings. Its detachable wings simplified storage requirements. The prototype took to the skies in early 1921; although its flight characteristics were described by Westland test pilot Stuart Keep as "a vicious beast," the type nonetheless received an order for an additional 35 units.

Operational history

Deliveries of production Walruses commenced in 1921 to No. 3 Squadron RAF based at RAF Leuchars. In 1923, No. 3 Squadron was divided into independent Fleet Spotter Flights. Despite extensive modifications for naval use, the Walrus never operated directly from aircraft carriers. It served in the fleet spotting role until its replacement by the Avro Bison and Blackburn Blackburn aircraft towards the end of 1925.

Operators

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• Royal Air Force
  • No. 3 Squadron RAF (operated by Fleet Air Arm starting in 1924)

References

• James, Derek N. (1991). Westland Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-847-X.
• Thetford, Owen (1978). British Naval Aircraft since 1912 (Fourth ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-30021-1.
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.