Modelling the Supermarine Sea Otter in Royal Australian Navy service

by Roger Lambert

History

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) acquired three Supermarine Sea Otters in 1948. From 1948 to 1953, the aircraft were employed in carrier-borne air-sea rescue duties by 723 Squadron. The Sea Otters embarked on HMAS Sydney and Vengeance as well as being shore-based at HMAS Albatross, Naval Air Station, Nowra, NSW. Having been replaced by Bristol Sycamore helicopters, RD914 was sold and scrapped, RD917 was returned to the Royal Navy and JN200 was sold in 1954 into civilian hands. The conversion of JN200 and registration as VH-BQI, and two further Sea Otters brought to Australia in the 1950s were the subject of a separate article in "in Miniature Issue 36/3".

Sea Otter Specifications

Dimensions:
Length - 12.2 m (39 ft 10.75 in)
Span - 14 m (46 ft 0 in)
Width Wings Folded - 5.49 m (18 ft 0 in)
Height - 4.61 m (15 ft 1.5 in)
Wing Area - 56.7 sq m (610 square ft)

Weights:
Empty - 3,086 kg (6,805 lb)
Loaded - 4,536 kg (10,000 lb)

Powerplant:
1 x Bristol Mercury XXX nine-cylinder air cooled radial, 965 hp

Performance:
Top Speed - 262 kph (163 mph)
Cruise Speed - 161 kph (100 mph)
Range - 1,110 km (690 miles)
Service Ceiling - 5,181 m (17,000 ft)

Model Kits

1/72 Scale:
Aeroclub - Kit No K027 - Supermarine Sea Otter II
Azur - Kit No 101 - Supermarine Sea Otter Mk I "WWII Service"
Azur - Kit No A090 - Supermarine Sea Otter Mk I/ASR Mk II "Foreign Service"
Azur - Kit No A047 - Supermarine Sea Otter ASR Mk II "FAA Post War Service"
Special Hobby - Kit No 72429 - Supermarine Sea Otter Mk I/ASR Mk II "Foreign Service"
Special Hobby - Kit No 72429 - Supermarine Sea Otter Mk I "WWII Service" (Changed Box)

1/48 Scale:
There are no known 1/48 scale kits; however, see Annex B if you feel like a scratch-build.

Decals

1/72 Scale:
Ronin Graphics - Limited Edition Decals - RDS-056 - RAN Supermarine Sea Otter II 1948-1953 (this set provides the decals to model RD914, RD917 and JN 200 (in both her delivery and later service schemes).


CTA Decals - CTA-007 "Aussies Over The Seas" available through Red Roo Models; the sheet features Sea Otter ASR Mk III, RD914, HMAS Sydney, 1950.

1/48 Scale:

There are no known 1/48 scale after-market decals for VH-BQI, VH-AJN and VH-AJO.

Masks

1/72 Scale:
Peewit - M72283 - Canopy Masks for Special Hobby Kit

1/48 Scale:
There are no known 1/48 scale masks to suit a scratch-build.