Despite its rather ungainly appearance, the Supermarine Walrus was one of the most effective aircraft of its type ever built. Required to operate in particularly hostile environments, the Walrus was an excellent naval reconnaissance aircraft and became an invaluable air-sea rescue asset, responsible for saving the lives of many downed airmen.

In 1934 the Royal Australian Air Force ordered 24 Seagull V’s and they were delivered during 1935-37 and operated by 5 Squadron, later 9 Squadron, located at RAAF base Rathmines. Following the outbreak of war, Walrus aircraft saw extensive service during the war.

This kit includes decals for RAAF Walrus X9515 which is noted as having rescued an American pilot, Lt J. Carter whom had baled out of his P38 in the Karawari River, Papua New Guinea. The area was in Japanese occupied territory, 95 miles west of Wewak. The pilot of the Walrus, Flight Officer Neil Masson Ewing Agnew stayed in the river for 2 hours while Carter was carried to the scene and rescued.

Decal options included:

• Supermarine Walrus Mk.I, No. 5 CF Royal Australian Air Force, Australia and New Guinea, early 1943.

• Supermarine Walrus Mk.I , No. 700 Naval Air Squadron, HMS Sheffield, 1941.

• Supermarine Walrus Mk.I, No. 276 Squadron, Royal Air Force Harrowbeer, Devon, England, 1944.