Walrus ZK-GSD, "Southern Dove"

[K5054NZ]

Supermarine Walrus ZK-GSD

Supermarine Walrus HD874 was delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force in 1943. The aircraft was used for search and rescue, as well as communications duties around Australia. In 1947 she was posted to Heard Island, Antarctica, where she crashed on December 20 of that year.

The wrecked aircraft was left to the elements until it was discovered by a five-man party from the Greenpeace organisation in August 1978. Group leader Frank Spencer, an aviation enthusiast, wrote to the RAAF asking for permission to recover the remains, this being granted on September 12. The aircraft was put aboard Greenpeace's flagship "Rainbow Warrior" and sailed to Auckland, New Zealand. There the aircraft, consisting of little more than a fuselage, was put into an intensive restoration with Air Parts at Hamilton. The wings were manufactured in-house, and the original Bristol Pegasus engine replaced with a Pratt & Whitney R1340 (purchased from an RNZAF surplus auction).


ZK-GSD during overhaul seen in PAC's hangar, June 1979. picture courtesy NZ Wings magazine

The aircraft was completed in 1980, and took to the air on June 19 that year wearing the registration ZK-LMK. The aircraft was painted white with a blue cheatline, and was used by Frank Spencer to tour the country. Tragically, he was killed in a car accident in 1983. In his will he specified the Walrus be donated to Greenpeace. This began what has been the most interesting part of the type's history.

The aircraft was repainted in a scheme similar to Greenpeace's ships - a green hull, white lower wing, blue tail and upper wing. A rainbow was painted on the forward fuselage, and Greenpeace logos on the fuselage and top wing. The aircraft was reregistered ZK-GSD, and christened "Southern Dove".


More on the aircraft's later life in Part 2.

This is on hold while I do ANOTHER MD500, the RNZAF's Fantail, but I promise to post pics as progress happens. BTW, how do you take screenshots in Flight Simulator 2002? I wanna show you guys something, a new way to whif......  

[Brian da Basher]

Looking good there Zac! I've always liked the Walrus and I'll be interested in seeing how this one turns out. Great "hangar" pic too!  B)

Brian da Basher

[K5054NZ]

Yeah, well, I have some special plans for Southern Dove when she's complete, photo-wise.