Images Dated 14th March 2016

Vickers Supermarine ' Walrus ' Amphibian Flying Boat with a Bristol Pegasus engine

Vickers Supermarine ' Walrus ' Amphibian Flying Boat with a Bristol Pegasus engine .
Walrus is a single engined ( pusher ) biplane amphibian flying boat constructed almost entirely of metal, stainless and duralumin, the hull is flush riveted and the fabric covered superstructure has spars of stainless steel .
It is designed for service with naval cruisers and aircraft carriers for reconnaissance, fleet spotting, photographic and training purposes .
A retractable undercarriage, hydraulically operated, provides for landing on an aerodrome or on the sea . In the raised position the wheels are housed in recesses in the bottom main planes .
Walrus will be carried by vessels equipped with catapult launching gear . It was the first military aircraft with a retractable undercarriage to be adopted by the Royal Air Force and the first amphibian aircraft to be catapulted with full military load . Slinging gear is provided for hoisting on board on the conclusion of a flight .
The pilot and observor have a clear field of view, unrestricted by floats or wings from the forward enclosed cockpit .
For stowage purposes the wings can be easily and quickly folded .
A production order for the Fleet Air Arm for the Royal Navy has been received . The same type known as ' Seagull ' V, has been supplied to the Royal Australian Air Force .
18 June 1936

© TopFoto.co.uk

Following the decision approving the start of Atlantic survey flights next year

Following the decision approving the start of Atlantic survey flights next year and commencet of an experimental air mail serviceshortly after, Imperial Airways pilots are receiving flying boat instruction at a Hamble, Hampshire, flying school . They receive a certain number of hours preliminery training on the Cutty Sark light amphibion boats and then take over on multi enginerd machines similar to those being used on the Empire routes .
Imperial Airways has handed over to the pupils a Short Calcutta flying boat for their training .
Photo shows, Imperial Airways pilots receiving instruction on the Calcutta flying boat at Hamble from from assistant instructor Flight Lieutenant M C Pascoe ( right )
4 December 1935

© TopFoto.co.uk

'Centaurus' takes off on longest flight ever attempted by commercial aircraft

'Centaurus' takes off on longest flight ever attempted by commercial aircraft.
The Imperial Airways Empire flying boat Centaurus took off from the Hythe air base, Southampton water, on a 30, 000 miles survey test flight of the proposed air route to New Zealand and back.
The flight is the longest ever undertaken by commercial aircraft and Centaurus will be the first of a classed across the Tasman Sea.
Six passengers, including a woman, Mrs Hillier, and her child are aboard the machine, together with four members of the Imperial Airways staff who are going to Karachi.
Photo shows, the crew of the Centaurus before the takeoff, left to right, radio operator A T Low, radio operator H T Dangerfield, first officer C F Elder, captain JW Burgess (commander), steward HJ Bingham and flight engineer F Murray.
3 December 1937

© TopFoto.co.uk