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United States' Curtiss SO3C Seamew floatplane1
Curtiss SO3C Seagull returning to its ship after directing fire at Casablanca:
United States Army in World War II, Pictorial Record, The War Against Germany and Italy: Mediterranean and Adjacent Areas, 1951, pg 21
Design
The Curtiss SO3C Seamew was developed to replace the Curtiss SOC Seagull scouting biplanes.1
Prototype
The XSO3C-1 prototype first flew on October 6, 1939.1 It had a floatplane and under wing outriggers.1
There were severe stability problems and upturned wingtips and larger tail surfaces were added.1
Production
Production stopped in January 1944.1
- XSO3C-1: 11
- SO3C-1: 1411
- SO3C-2: 2001
- SO3C-2C: 3591
- SO3C-3: 391
- Total: 7401
Variants
- XSO3C-1: Prototype.1
- SO3C-1: Deliveries started in July 1942.1
- SO3C-2: Had arrestor gear for carrier operations.1
- SO3C-2C / Seamew Mk I: Had new electronics, brakes, and radio.1
- SO3C-1K / Queen Seamew: Conversions to target drones.1
Usage
Britain and the United States used the Curtiss SO3C Seamew.1
The SO3C was only used for 2 years.1 Due to their poor service they were converted into target drones.1 Their replacement was the Curtiss SOC Seagull biplanes that were brought out of mothballs.1
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom gave the SO3C the name Seamew, which replaced what it was originally called, the Seagull.1
The Royal Navy was delivered 100 out of 250 Seamews ordered.1 They were used only for training.1
| Curtiss SO3C Seamew1 | Curtiss SO3C-1 Seamew1 | Curtiss SO3C-2 Seamew1 | Curtiss SO2C-2C Seamew1 | Curtiss SO3C-3 Seamew1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Scout and observation floatplane1 | ||||
| Crew | 21 | ||||
| Engine (Type) | Ranger V-770-61 | Ranger V-770-61 | Ranger V-770-201 | Ranger V-770-201 | |
| Cylinders | V 121 | V 121 | |||
| Cooling | |||||
| HP | 5201 | 5201 | 6001 | 6001 | |
| Propeller blades | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Span | 38'1 11.58 m1 |
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| Length | 35' 8"1 10.87 m1 |
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| Height | 14' 2"1 4.32 m1 |
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| Wing area | |||||
| Weight | |||||
| Empty | 4,995 lb1 2,266 kg1 |
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| Loaded | 7,000 lb1 3,175 kg1 |
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| Performance | |||||
| Speed at sea level | 150 mph1 241 kph1 |
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| Speed @ 8,100' / 2,470 m |
172 mph1 277 kph1 |
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| Cruising speed | 125 mph1 201 kph1 |
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| Climb | 720'/minute1 219 m/minute1 |
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| Service ceiling | 15,800'1 4,815 m1 |
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| Range | 1,150 miles1 1,850 km1 |
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| Armament | |||||
| Forward firing | 1: 0.3" MG1 | ||||
| Rear cockpit | 1: 0.3" MG1 | ||||
| OR | 1: 0.5" MG1 | ||||
| Bombs - under wings | 2: 100 lb1 2: 45 kg1 |
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| OR | |||||
| Depth charges - under wings | 325 lb1 147 kg1 |
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| Under fuselage on land plane | 500 lb1 227 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
