Saunders Roe SR-A1 Whale

The SR-A1 first flew in 1947. It was the first jet-propelled water-based aircraft in the world. The concept behind the SR.A/1 originated during the Second World War as a reaction to Japan's successful use of military float planes and the emergence of the turbojet engine.

The idea was to deploy the fighter to forward Island bases without the need for complex infrastructure. Although the aircraft was rather heavy, the Royal Navy ordered it into production as the Wale and a total of 168 were built before production stopped in 1950. The Wale served with RN squadrons in the far east and was replaced in service by the Supermarine Sea Lion.

Model: Planet 1/72