The Supermarine Walrus combined rough-water recovery, search-and-rescue utility, worldwide operation, and unusually high service availability. The Royal Navy repeatedly defended its production even when the Air Ministry wanted Supermarine concentrated on Spitfires. Removing catapults from cruisers operating with strong carrier support was therefore not a verdict that the aircraft had failed. It followed the prewar division of aviation by theater and released weight and deck space for additional anti-aircraft firepower while other cruisers retained aircraft for distant stations.
Notable Point · 1:55:35-2:00:27
Why the Walrus survived production pressure and left some cruisers
Walrus availability justified continued production, while its removal from fleet cruisers followed prewar theater doctrine and freed space for anti-aircraft weapons.