File:Supermarine Seagull V ‘A2-4’ (VH-ALB) (16596697003).jpg

The Seagull was the name given to the 24 Walrus aircraft built specifically for Australian Navy service. This example first flew in 1935 and arrived in Australia in 1936. It then entered service as ‘A2-4’, carrying out fleet co-operation work with the Royal Australian Navy fleet. It remained in service until 1946 when it was sold off. It was then dismantled and put in to store. In 1951 it was allocated the civil registration ‘VH-ALB’ but remained in store. It finally flew in civil hands for the first time in 1960. It then flew commercially with various operators before being entered in a London – Sydney air race. It crashed during the outbound journey on 27th January 1970, due to a ‘fuel management’ issue. The hull, undercarriage, floats and one wing were damaged. It was dismantled and stored (again), although further damage was caused by vandals. It finally returned to the UK in 1973 after the RAF Museum exchanged it for Spitfire XVI ‘TE384’. Restored in 1975 by teams at Henlow and Cardington and returned to wartime RAAF markings. The completed aircraft arrived at Hendon in 1979 for permanent display in the Battle of Britain Hall. RAF Museum, Hendon, London, UK.