Town-class cruisers could carry four Walruses, including crated aircraft that crews could assemble after damage or a loss. Spare airframes supported continued reconnaissance far from the main fleet's aviation facilities. The Walrus also had to be easy to repair so that a cruiser did not rapidly exhaust its replacements. The operating expectation was to keep at least one or two aircraft working from the stock aboard. A developing shortage should become apparent early enough for the commander to request further supplies from Britain. Repairability and advance warning of replacement needs helped sustain reconnaissance at the end of a long supply line.
Notable Point · 1:16:07-1:19:03
Crated Walruses keep distant cruiser patrols supplied with aircraft
Spare airframes and simple repairs were intended to keep one or two Walruses available, with enough warning to request replacements before reconnaissance stopped.