Fly Past

44 RAF CENTENARY CELEBRATION PATROLLERS AND AIRLIFTERS

SUPERMARINE

SEA OTTER

1942 TO 1945

Below

Like the Walrus, the

Sea Otter was an

amphibious design

although it was mostly

used at sea. ALL KEY

T

he last of a long line of biplane

amphibians designed by

Supermarine, the Sea Otter

was one of the very few still in

frontline service at the end of World

War Two. It was also the last biplane

of any category to equip the RAF.

Intended to replace the

Supermarine Walrus, the prototype

Sea Otter (K8854) was designed

to Air Ministry Specification

S.7/38 and originally known as

the Stingray. The test aircraft had

a Bristol Perseus radial engine with

a two-bladed propeller, which was

upgraded to a two-position, three-

bladed prop, and then a four-bladed

type to produce enough thrust.

Type: Three or four-crew air-sea rescue amphibian

First fl ight: September 29, 1938; entered service 1943

Powerplant: One 965hp (719kW) Bristol Mercury XXX

Dimensions: Span 46ft (14m), length 39ft 5in (12m)

Weights: Empty 6,805lb (2,760kg), all-up 10,000lb (4,536kg)

Max speed: 163mph (km/h) at 4,500ft (1371.6m)

Range: 920 miles (1,480km)

Armament: One Vickers K gun in bows and two amidships

Replaced: Supermarine Walrus

Taken on charge: 290

Replaced by: Consolidated Liberator

SEA OTTER MK II

1918 2018

“By October 1945, after brief post-war service, the Sea Otter

fi nished its remaining RAF duties with 278 and 281 Squadrons,

continuing solely with the Fleet Air Arm until 1952.”