Westland Walrus

Westland Aircraft

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1915
Headquarters	United Kingdom

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

Design and development

In 1919, the Royal Navy urgently required a three-seat aircraft for spotting and reconnaissance duties. To reduce costs, the design utilised partially completed Airco DH.9A airframes, which were plentiful following the conclusion of the First World War and the cancellation of related contracts. Initially, Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft modified these by incorporating an observer's position and eliminating wing stagger, resulting in the Armstrong Whitworth Tadpole.

Further refinement was entrusted to Westland, who enhanced the design to create the Walrus. This version replaced the DH.9A and Tadpole's Liberty engine with a 450 hp (336 kW) Napier Lion II piston engine. Retaining the single-engine, two-bay biplane configuration of its predecessor, the Walrus featured an additional cockpit for the observer/radio operator located behind the gunner’s seat. The observer could also operate from a prone position situated in a ventral pannier for downward observation. The undercarriage was designed to be jettisoned, and flotation bags along with hydrovanes were installed to improve ditching safety. Additionally, arresting gear was fitted to facilitate carrier landings, although the wings were made detachable for ease of storage. The prototype took to the air in early 1921 but exhibited poor handling characteristics; Westland’s test pilot Stuart Keep described it as "a vicious beast." Despite this, an order for 35 more units was placed.

Operational history

The production models were delivered to No. 3 Squadron RAF stationed at RAF Leuchars beginning in 1921. In 1923, No. 3 Squadron was divided into independent Fleet Spotter Flights; however, despite extensive naval adaptations, the Walrus never actually operated from aircraft carriers. It remained active in fleet spotting roles until late 1925 when it was superseded by the Avro Bison and Blackburn Blackburn.

Operators

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• Royal Air Force
  • No. 3 Squadron RAF (transferred to Fleet Air Arm in 1924)

References

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