Westland Walrus

This is without dispute one of the ugliest aircraft was created thanks to the policy of the british armed forces in the years after the end of the 1. world war, that tried to meet the demand for new machines by a simple rebuilding and developing the already tried and tested aircraft. When she showed up the need to develop a new aircraft for maritime reconnaissance and guidance of artillery fire, in accordance with new technologies like wireless radio, it was necessary to count with the third specialist member of the crew. The navy for economic reasons, immediately reached for their proven two-seater daylight bomber D.H.9A, which was built around 2000 pieces and no thus the lack of spare parts. Several of these machines, therefore, passed through the enlarged rear compartment a finish to the three-digit and its effectiveness demonstrated during the artillery exercises of the fleet in 1920. But this was only a stopgap solution, D.H.9A should have a fairly high landing speed and even nesklopitelnými wings to be unfit for operation on board ships.

A freshly created company Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft therefore started to work on more advanced conversion, which resulted in the early 1920s in her type of Tadpole. Basically it was a standard D.H.9A, but with wings without stupnění, the third cockpit for the radio operator located in an elevated back for the gunner/observer, and under it bulging "belly" allowing observers aiming lying down. The only prototype, J6585, was built in coventryjském Parkside, and fly to the new airport at Whitley Abbey, further development was then handed over to the company Westland Yeovilu, which already had a building D.H.9 your experience. Designer Arthur Davenport, the project added other elements, engine Liberty replaced the stronger Lionem, the radiator moved under the bow, all three cockpits got wind labels and on both sides of the bow were placed bags the type of Grain that was possible in the case of landing on the water to inflate and to prevent the sinking. Before the gear legs also added the flat, which had on impact on the water to prevent tipping over. The link between podvozkovými legs then came the catch hooks for landing on the ship. Patented pressure valve also allowed to quickly drain the fuel from the tank and re-seal, so then it served as an auxiliary float.In its initial form had a new prototype, named Walrus, the wings are still solid, the chassis spring-loaded rubber bundles, later got as well as serial machines detachable wings with the corner balancing of the aileron and olejopneumatické cushioning. Fuel pump and generator for the radio's powered by two small propellers placed in front of the cockpit.

Walrus first flew in Yeovilu sometime in February or march 1921, and proved to be very poorly operated. This manifested itself during the landing, when the pilot Stuart Keep prevent it from tipping over with just a quick addition of gas and the mechanic, who flew as a live load, which quickly climbed into the rear compartment and hung on the tail. Yet it was ordered 36 serial machines, problems with maneuverability partially solve the above-mentioned new wings and parts of machines also enlarged rudder. Yet the type known for the large amount of accidents, with at least two lame ducks unlikely to undertake before passing it on. The only user Walrusů in the RAF became in January 1922 3. squadron in Leuchars and later Gosport, until she was a year later transformed into a 421. and 422. a squadron of the Royal Navy, each with six machines. Other machines have been passed to 420. and 423. squadron. With them then got on the aircraft carrier Furious (420. and 421. squadron), Eagle (422. fleet) and Argus (423. squadron), where continued in any significant service until the end of the year 1925, when it replaced another of the contestants for the title of ugliest aircraft, Blackburny Blackburn and Avra Bison..