Supermarine Walrus, part three

The Supermarine Walrus was initially designed as a private venture for a Royal Australian Air Force requirement for an aircraft capable of being catapult-launched from cruisers. It was originally called Seagull V. Although it only loosely resembled the Seagull III in general layout. Its construction started in 1930 but due to various delays, it wasn't completed until 1933.
The single-step hull was made out of aluminium alloy, with stainless-steel forgings for the catapult spools and mountings. Metal construction was chosen because experience had taught that wooden constructions deteriorated quickly in tropical conditions. The wings were slightly set back and had stainless-steel spars and fabric covered wooden ribs. The lower wings were shoulder-mounted with a stabilising float mounted under each. The elevators were high on the tail-fin and braced on either side by N-struts. The wings could be folded so a stowage width of 17ft 6in (5.33m) was given. It was powered by a single Bristol Pegasus II M2 radial engine which yielded 620hp of power and was house at the rear of a nacelle mounted on four struts above the lower wing and braced by four shorter struts to the centre-section of the upper wing. The engine powered a four-bladed propeller. The nacelle contained also the fuel tank, which was arranged at the front as an oil cooler, electrical equipment and had also a number of access panels for maintenance. A supplementary oil cooler was also mounted on the starboard side.
Fuel was carried in two tanks in the upper wings. Thanks to the pusher configuration, the engine and propellers were kept out of the way of spray when the type operated on water and reducing the noise levels inside the aircraft. The propeller was safely away from any crew member who stood on the front deck, when picking up a mooring line. The engine was offset by three degrees to starboard to counter any tendency of the aircraft to yaw, due to unequal forces on the rudder caused by the vortex from the propeller. A solid alluminum tailwheel was also enclosed by a small water-rudder which could also be coupled to the main rudder for taxiing or also disengaged for takeoff and crawl-away. Unusually, the control column inside the cockpit wasn't fixed and it could be unplugged from either two of the sockets in the floor of the cockpit. The only column to be in use was the most usual habit, when control was passed from pilot to co-pilot or vice versa simply by unplugging it and handing it over. Behind the cockpit there were also cabins with work stations for both navigator and radio operator.
It was armed with two 0.303in (7.7mm) Vickers K machine guns, one each in the open positions on the nose and rear fuselage with provisions for either bombs or depth charges (up to 6100lb - 45Kg, 2250lb - 110kg or 2250lb - 110kg Mk.VIII depth charges) mounted beneath the lower wings. Like any other flying boat, it carried marine equipment to be used on water like anchors, towing and mooring cables, drogues and a boat-hook.

Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarine_Walrus
2. Hall Park Books - Warpaint 39 - Supermarine Walrus