On display at RAF Museum Hendon.

Developed to be ship-borne catapult launched this type was known as the Walrus in RAF and the Seagull V in RAAF service and went on to save the lives of many ditched airmen. This particular aircraft arrived Down Under in 1936 and served for many years before being transferred to the civilian register in 1951 as VH-ALB, before being repatriated to the UK in 1971 for restoration and eventual display.

It was a surprise on my first visit to Camden to see a Walrus. Did not know such a rare aircraft existed in Australia. It was explained this was not a Walrus but its predecessor, the almost identical pre-World War II Seagull V. In 1969 VH-ALB was restored with an intention of flying it in the London-Sydney air race in December that year. It did not make the start line. Then on January 27, 1970, it crashed at Taree, New South Wales. The battered aircraft was sold to the RAF Museum, where it has been restored as a static display.

Seagull V (a variant of the Walrus) VH-ALB was damaged at the start of a planned flight to the UK. Ex RAAF A2-4, it is now displayed, fully restored, in the RAF Museum at Hendon.

Photo taken days before its final flight which ended when it crashed at Taree, NSW. Damaged airframe traded to the RAF Museum.