A2-12 HMAS "Australia"

Sketch of Supermarine Walrus (Seagull) A2-12 by Official War Artist Frank Norton. This sketch was completed between either 22 January and 7 February or between 18 August and 18 October 1937, when this particular aircraft was aboard HMAS Australia.

The Seagull V (later renamed ‘Walrus’), were initially designed in response to an Australian request for an observational seaplane to be launched by catapult from cruisers in 1929. 51 of these aircraft were ordered by Australia (24 RAN, 27 RAAF). 7 ships equipped with them, including the armed merchant cruisers HMAS Manoora and Westralia. They were one of the few planes used by both the RAAF and RAN. The extent to which they were flown in the RAF by Australian pilots is still being determined, but is thought to be significant, with a total of 740 built from 1936-1944.

Walruses were very important in Australia’s Second World War air capacity. For example Walruses were responsible for the bombing of the Italian airfield at Zeila (the collection holds 4 photographs planning this raid); spotting duties at Bardia; forced the German supply ship Ketty Brovig to scuttle in March 1941, leading to the capture of their crew by HMAS Canberra; and L2177 was sunk while aboard the HMAS Sydney in 1941. Walruses were also used extensively in coast watching, and search and rescue activities off the coast of Northern Australia and New Guinea.

A2-12 specifically is also historically significant as one of just three Walruses that served with both the RAN and RNZN, having served aboard the HMNZS Achilles from April to August 1942. As such this work will serve to illustrate one of the means through which supplies were shared between the RAN and RNZN and tell the stories of those that worked on these rare joint ventures.

This sketch is also unusual in showing the aircraft from the front, with additional technical details about the shape and proportions of the hull featured in the corner - possibly studies that influenced Norton's later paintings of Walruses, of which the Memorial holds two (ART21773 and ART30019) however neither of these show the fine details provided in this sketch.

Despite their considerable number, very little has survived to tell the stories of Australia’s many flying boat pilots across any of Australia’s flying boat fleet.