Dick Melton Walrus

On another unrelated site the current owner of the Walrus project posted in December 2014 that he was progressing slowly but doesn’t have an end date yet. Over the past two years they have made progress, and have a fuselage and undercart, the core of an engine and are just about to complete the tailplane. Whilst they have a lot of fixtures and fittings, but are looking for the other major structure (e.g., wings, engine pylon and nacelle). He asked for any leads on Walrus parts anyone has knowledge of.

From memory one or two of the ex-RNZAF Walrus were purchased post-war by a private pilot, and flown on occasion without approval, before suffering in a storm and thereafter being scrapped. I’m sure I’ve seen photos of one on a beach.

There was an initiative about ten years ago, spearheaded by the late Ross Ewing of Catalina fame, to buy the Melton Walrus and bring it here to be flown like ZK-PBY, however I gather there wasn’t enough interest. About five years prior there was another go, possibly also led by Ross.

It might just be an urban legend but I was told years ago that the box is empty apart from the hidden ignition switches to the engine, which was run up during the latter part of the restoration in U.K. There were stories of a bit of limited taxiing as well but I can’t vouch for the truth of it.

Has anybody with access to the RAFM Seagull opened up the cockpit radio box of late?
They just might get a surprise.

???…

regards,
jack…

CAA show they have been here before!
1 00147 Supermarine Walrus Mk1 Designed to AP970 Requirements not complying wholly with ARBs but deviations investigated and accepted by the Board. Deviations from Standard Military Walrus in accordance with Drg… 06/07/1946
2 00177 Supermarine Walrus Mk1 Design approval for the instalaltion of overload fuel system & IFF. Receiver Type R.3121 (as an alternative to Horning Radio ZXP) in accordance with drawings quoted. 11/09/1946
3 00193 Supermarine Walrus Mk1 Installation of Overload Fuel Tanks (68gal) & Fuel System in acordance with Drg.No. 50765/Sheets 1 to 11 & 50736/Sheets 1 to 4 inc. Smoking prohibited in aircraft by virtue of this… 16/10/1946
4 00310 Supermarine Walrus II Design approval of the civil conversion of standard wooden hull Military Walrus II but with all military equipment removed and various deviations from the military type. 29/09/1947
5 00323 Supermarine Walrus II Subsequent to G-AIWU but with various mods qualifying aircraft for C of A in the Normal Category with sub-divisions a,b,c,d & e incorporated. 14/11/1947
6 00370 Supermarine Walrus I Provision of 4 passenger or freight. 25/05/1948
7 00393 Supermarine Walrus Mk1 Provision for carrying 5 passengers. 23/07/1948

Has anybody with access to the RAFM Seagull opened up the cockpit radio box of late?
They just might get a surprise.

Especially Canada with all those lakes to play on.

I suspect in Canada there was an adequate supply of Norsemen – which OK weren’t amphibians – but had been designed from the outset as a bush plane with ease of fitment of either wheeled or float undercarriages – plus additional support in terms of its Canadian design, readily-available P&W Wasp engine and the sheer numbers flying.

I recall reading that some whaling companies bought Walrus and these were replaced when helicopters became more common.

I’m surprised that no Walruses seemed to have survive in airworthy trim…and few survive in any condition.
You’d think that some would have been bought post war by sport pilots in the UK, Canada, Aus or NZ.

(And I could say the same about the Lysander. Perhaps engine support issues?)

Especially Canada with all those lakes to play on. I agree with those who say she should be restored to airworthy condition. Shagbat, Steam Chicken, Flying Gas Ring, call it what you like I would happily pay even RIAT’s grossly overpriced admission fee just to see one in the air. Throw in a Gannet too and you’d have to tie me to a chair to stop me attending.

Anyone?

Ditto. How I’d LOVE to see this one reach fruition: among the seemingly endless stream of Spitfire clones (which never cease to find exciteable individuals to get excited about them), here is something truly worthwhile that I’d get excited about!

I do hope we can get some good news from this gentle prod.

What’s the latest news on the restoration of the Walrus? Has it been progressed of late or is it on hold?
Many Thanks
C6

I think we should let them get on with it and hopefully either Steve or Peter can be persuaded to give us updates every so often as other projects are doing .

Mike E

www.whirlwindfighterproject.org

All the plating joints were sealed with lots of smelly brown PRC…..

Or at least lakeworthy 😀