Black Cat Models Review - 1/350 Supermarine Walrus

Reviewed by Felix Bustelo
June 2024

HISTORY

The Supermarine Walrus was a British made single-engine amphibious biplane which was designed to serve as a fleet spotter launched by catapult from cruisers or battleships. It incorporated a fully retractable undercarriage, had an enclosed crew accommodation and a fuselage made completely of metal. The metal fuselage would improve longevity in tropical conditions but later variants were made of wood to conserve the use of metal alloys.

In the pre-war and early years of World War II the Walrus was in widespread use. While it was intended to be used for gunnery spotting, it was more widely used for patrolling for Axis submarines and surface raiders. They also saw limited action in bombing and strafing shore targets. With the installation of radar mid war, the need for catapult launched aircraft lessened. The space used for the catapults and storage of the aircraft was instead utilized for additional anti-aircraft weaponry. Walruses continued to be used on Royal Navy aircraft carriers for air-sea rescue and general communications purposes. In addition, the low landing speed of these aircraft would allow them to land on flightdecks despite not having a tailhook or flaps.

Black Cat Models Supermarine Walrus

The Supermarine Walrus in one of the latest additions to Black Cat Models’ increasing line of fully 3D printed 1:350 scale aircraft. The Walrus is offered in both unfolded and folded wing versions, with the latter suitable for placement within an open-door hangar. Both versions are full of beautiful detail.

The unfolded wing version has the landing gear stowed underneath and faintly represented, while the folded wing version has the landing gear deployed. Actually, the folded wing version has wings that are separate and to be attached to the aircraft in a folded position. Both versions feature wing braces and rigging wires as well as tailplane braces and tail wheel finely rendered. The wing floats are integral to the wings. Four propellers are provided while you will only need one and likewise two radial engines are provided with only one to be used. It’s always good to have spares in my humble opinion. All parts are attached to the printing raft with very fine attachment points. Unlike other airplanes in Black Cat’s line, the cockpit on the Walrus is solid, but the frames are represented to help color in the glass panes.


INSTRUCTIONS
The assembly instructions are available for downloading on the Black Cat Models website. While they are not assembly instructions per se, they do show the attachment points for the airframe and wings and show how the Walrus appears once freed and assembled.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, both versions of the Walrus are extremely well done and far better than any that I have seen that comes with an injection plastic kit. The unfolded wing version will look nice sitting on a catapult or even in the ocean pulling up to be recovered in a seascape. I can picture the folded wing version sitting in the open hangar of my HMS Cornwall, whenever I get around to building it. Both versions of the Walrus are available directly from Black Cat Models or one of the retailers that sell their products. My thanks to Black Cat Models for the review samples.