Supermarine was directed to concentrate heavily on Spitfire work, limiting its ability to pursue other naval fighters. The amphibian line nevertheless remained protected, allowing Walrus production to continue throughout the war. Most aircraft were built by Saunders-Roe, with fuselages supplied by Elliots of Newbury rather than by Supermarine itself. Wood remained a practical construction material because it was inexpensive, plentiful, and preserved scarcer resources for other demands. Dispersed manufacture and economical materials kept a useful naval aircraft available under wartime industrial pressure.
Notable Point · 36:37-37:48
Keeping the Walrus in wartime production
The Walrus survived wartime production pressure through protected amphibian work, subcontracting, and economical use of wood.