Home > Aircraft Hangar > World War II: War in North Africa > The Allies Strike Back (October 1942 - May 1943) >

USAAF Supermarine Seagull Walrus Reconnaissance Aircraft - Operation Torch, North Africa, 1942 (1:72 Scale)
USAAF Supermarine Seagull Walrus Reconnaissance Aircraft - Operation Torch, North Africa, 1942

Oxford Aviation USAAF Supermarine Seagull Walrus Reconnaissance Aircraft - Operation Torch, North Africa, 1942




 
List Price: $64.99
Our Price: $59.99 Sold Out!
You save $5.00!
You'll earn: 60 points

Stock Status: (Out of Stock)


Availability: Currently Unavailable
Product Code: SW004

Description Extended Information
 
Oxford SW004 USAAF Supermarine Seagull Walrus Reconnaissance Aircraft - Operation Torch, North Africa, 1942 (1:72 Scale) "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."
- British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, commenting on the British airmen in the Battle of Britain

The Supermarine Walrus was a British single engine amphibious biplane reconnaissance aircraft, designed by R.J. Mitchell who was also responsible for the illustrious Spitfire. The aircraft first flew on June 21st, 1933. Operated by the Fleet Air Arm, it also served with the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force as well as the Royal New Zealand Navy.

The Walrus was the first British squadron service aircraft to incorporate a fully retractable undercarriage, completely enclosed crew accommodation and an all metal fuselage. Designed for use as a fleet spotter to be catapulted from battleships or cruisers, the Walrus was later employed in a variety of roles most notably as a rescue aircraft for downed aircrew and even as a whale spotter. It continued in service throughout the Second World War. A total of 740 aircraft were built between 1936 and 1944.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a USAAF Supermarine Seagull Walrus reconnaissance aircraft that participated in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, during late 1942. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-3/4-inches
Length: 6-1/4-inches

Release Date: April 2019

Historical Account: "Enter the Americans" - Operation Torch (initially called Operation Gymnast) was the British-United States invasion of French North Africa during the North African Campaign of the Second World War which started on November 8th, 1942. It is the first major operation that US troops undertook in the European / North African theatre of World War II.

The Soviet Union had pressed the US and British to start operations in Europe and open a second front to reduce the pressure of German forces on the Soviet troops. While US commanders favored Operation Sledgehammer, landing in Occupied Europe as soon as possible, British commanders believed that such a course was likely to end in disaster. Landings in French North Africa were instead proposed. On July 28th, the Axis Afrika Korps, under General Erwin Rommel, captured Mersa Matruh, in Egypt, only 140 miles (230 km) from Alexandria. Landings to the west would reduce pressure on Allied forces in Egypt. They would also secure Allied naval control of the south-west Mediterranean, and enable an invasion of Southern Europe later in 1943. U.S. President, Roosevelt, suspected that landings in north-west Africa would rule out an invasion of Europe in 1943, but agreed to support British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Senior US commanders remained strongly opposed to the landings. After the Western Allies' Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) met in Washington on July 30th, General George Marshall and Admiral Ernest King declined to approve the plan. When Roosevelt was told of this, he was furious, called Marshall and King to the White House, and gave a direct order that Torch was to have precedence over other operations and was to take place at the earliest possible date. This was one of only two direct orders he gave to military commanders during the war. (The other was in March 1943, when Roosevelt ordered King to transfer 60 B-24 Liberators from the Pacific to the Atlantic, to combat U-Boats.)

Features
  • Diecast metal construction
  • Landing gear in a gear up configuration
  • Plexiglass canopy
  • Spinning propeller
  • Accurate markings and insignia
  • Comes with display stand
  • Attractive upscale packaging

Average Customer Review: Average Customer Review: 5 of 5 5 of 5 Total Reviews: 2 Write a review.

  1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Shipment October 25, 2019
Reviewer: Joseph Chatrnuch from Bronx, NY United States  
As usual best service.

Was this review helpful to you?

  1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 
5 of 5 I am the Walrus May 11, 2019
Reviewer: Gregory Mong from Niles, OH United States  
The aircraft is an exceptional collectable and I was quite happy with the ease of ordering as well as the fast shipment...thanks Marc!

Was this review helpful to you?


Browse for more products in the same category as this item:

Aircraft Hangar > World War II: War in North Africa > The Allies Strike Back (October 1942 - May 1943)
Combat Aircraft > Oxford Frontline Fighters > History of Flight Aircraft
Release Schedule > Retired and Sold Out > October 2023 Retirees