Antarctic Walrus

Air Classics, Jun 2003

Rare amphibian recalls a pioneering era

Designed specifically for use on Royal Australian Navy cruisers, the first Supermarine Seagull V (known as the Walrus in British service) was first flown in June 1933. Twenty-four aircraft were originally ordered for Australian service, serialed A2-1 to 24. Of these aircraft, eleven were lost, including nine in crashes and two due to enemy action (one from HMAS Sydney and A2-2 issued to HMNZS Achilles). A further 37 machines were delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force during World War Two and these aircraft retained their British serial numbers.

This aircraft, HD874, was one of the second batch of Walrus aircraft received from England and was received by QANTAS at Rose Bay, NSW, in September 1943. Initially allocated to No. 9 Squadron in December of that year, HD874 was transferred to No. 8 Communications Unit in 1944 to serve as a target towing aircraft after being repaired by QANTAS after an emergency landing at Cairns, QLD. HD874 was allocated to No. 1 Flying Boat Repair Depot at Lake Boga in Victoria during March 1945 for a 240-hr servicing and the complete recovering of the fabric surfaces.

The aircraft remained in storage until early 1947 when it was dispatched to Maintenance Squadron Rathmines, NSW, for servicing prior to issue to the RAAF's Antarctic Flight in October of that year. HD874, painted bright yellow and named Snow Goose, was transported on supply ship LST 3501 to Heard Island. The aircraft flew only one photographic mission before being totally destroyed in a storm on 21 December 1947.

The remains of HD874 were left on the beach at Heard Island until they were recovered for the RAAF Museum in the early 1980s. The craft remained in storage until restoration commenced in 1993. The Walrus was completed in 2002 and placed on display.