For the Spitfire fans, it may be hard to believe that the stubby Walrus was a creation of the same mind, and was produced during roughly the same period of time.

R.J.Mitchell designed this flying boat in 1933 as an improvement to the already-in-production Supermarine Seagull, incorporating a pusher rather than tractor propeller, enclosed cockpit and a metal hull, allowing for a catapult launch from warships.

Popularly known as the Shagbat, the Walrus was first used by the Royal Navy for ship-to-shore communications, gunnery spotting, and maritime reconnaissance.

But in 1941, when RAF began to form specialist air-sea rescue squadrons, the walrus became a mainstay of these. in total, seven squadrons in Britain and four in the Middle East flew the type. It is in this service that the Walrus gained the reputation for reliability and it's ability to withstand considerable damage.

The Walrus would be, in my opinion, a very graceful modelling subject. The only mainstream kit that is known to me is an old Matchbox kit, produced to 1/72nd scale in the seventies.

A quick look into the box and an opinion from my friend, Sten, make me believe that this was one of the better Matchbox offerings, but honestly, I can't give you any details.