Royal Navy carriers used Supermarine Walruses to recover aircrew from the sea. Helicopters had not yet reached the practical capability needed to replace them. Seaplanes also offered a possible advantage on long reconnaissance flights: an aircraft short of fuel could land on the water while its crew awaited rescue or additional fuel. A nearby destroyer could help recover the crew. That possibility helps explain why carrier designs retained seaplane facilities even when most of their aircraft used the flight deck.
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Walruses as carrier rescue aircraft
Carrier-borne Walruses provided pilot recovery before practical helicopters and offered an emergency landing option for reconnaissance crews.