SO3C Seamew

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AT-11 41-27366 and Curtiss SO3C-2 4905

Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan 41-27366 and SO3C-2 BuNo4905

British SO3C-2C Seamew and WRNS aircraft checkers, 1943

British Curtiss SO3C-2C Seamew and WRNS aircraft checkers, 1943

Observation floatplane Curtiss Seamew Mk I FN489

Curtiss Seamew Mk I serial FN489

Observation floatplane SO3C Seamew in flight on 10 July 1943

Curtiss SO3C Seamew in flight on 10 July 1943

SO3C on catapult of USS Biloxi CL-80, October 1943 – color photo

Curtiss SO3C Seamew on catapult of USS Biloxi CL-80, October 1943

SO3C-2C aboard USS Altamaha 22 June 1943

Curtiss SO3C-2C aboard USS Altamaha 22 June 1943

Observation floatplane SO3C-3 is catapulted from the USS Biloxi (CL-80) – October 1943 2

Curtiss SO3C-3 Seamew is catapulted from the USS Biloxi October 1943 2

Land version of Curtiss SO3C-2 4914 in flight

Land version of SO3C-2 Seamew BuNo 4914

Curtiss SO3C Seamew is hoisted on board

Observation floatplane Curtiss SO3C is hoisted on board

Curtiss SO3C-1 Seamew (Seagull) in flight

Observation floatplane Curtiss SO3C-1 Seamew (Seagull)

Prototype XSO3C-1

Prototype XSO3C-1

Curtiss XSO3C-1 undergoing rough water tests

Prototype XSO3C-1 undergoing rough water tests

Curtiss SO3C Seamew launched from warships catapult

SO3C Seamew floatplane leaves the port catapult of a cruiser

SO3C-1 4872 September 1942

SO3C-1 BuNo 4872 September 1942

Curtiss SO3C-1 BuNo 4872 September 1942 2

SO3C-1 BuNo 4872 September 1942 2

SO3C-1 BuNo 4872 September 1942 3

SO3C-1 BuNo 4872 September 1942 3

SO3C-1 1942

SO3C-1 Early 1942

Curtiss SO3C-2 April 1943

SO3C-2 April 1943

SO3C-2

SO3C-2 Seamew

Curtiss SO3C-2C Seamew

SO3C-2C Seamew

Curtiss SO3C-3 Seamew being catapulted from USS Biloxi (CL-80) – October 1943

SO3C-3 being catapulted from USS Biloxi (CL-80) - October 1943

Curtiss SO3C-3 Seamew being catapulted from USS Biloxi CL-80 – October 1943 2

SO3C-3 being catapulted from USS Biloxi CL-80 - October 1943 2

Curtiss SO3C-3 Seamew is catapulted from the USS Biloxi (CL-80) – October 1943, color photo

SO3C-3 is catapulted from the USS Biloxi (CL-80) - October 1943, color photo

Spotter plane SO3C-1 Seamew

spotter plane Curtiss SO3C-1 Seamew

Women mechanic work on a SO3C-2C

Women mechanic work on a SO3C-2C

The Curtiss SO3C Seamew was intended to replace the obsolescent SOC Seagull. Service trials of the first production SO3C-1s during the spring of 1942 revealed that the type was too underpowered to operate from U.S. Navy cruisers, causing them to be replaced by the older SOC Seagull and OS2U Kingfisher. The first SO3C-1s entered operational service with USS Cleveland (CL-55) in July 1942. Powerplant: 530hp Ranger V-770-8 12-cylinder air-cooled inline engine driving a two-bladed, variable-pitch metal propeller. Total production: 795 Variants:

  • XSO3C-1 - (model 82, BuNo 1385) prototype, one built originally as a landplane and later modified as a floatplane.
  • SO3C-1 - (model 82A, BuNo 4730-4879)  deliveries began in July 1942
  • SO3C-1K - SO3C-1 modified as target drones, some to the Royal Navy as the Queen Seamew I (serials JX663-JX669, JZ771 -JZ774)
  • SO3C-2 - (Model 82B, BuNo 4880-5029, 04149-04198) Similar to SO3C-1 but with arrester gear, landplane variant could be fitted with a ventral bomb rack, 200 built.
  • SO3C-2C (British Seamew Mk I FN450-FN649, JW550-JW599)-  Lend-lease variant of the SO3C-2 with improved radio, 24V electrical system and fitted with arrester gear for deck landings
  • SO3C-3 (Model 82C, BuNo 04199-04348) reduced weight variant with detailed improvements and catapult operation ability removed, produced between June 1943 and January 1944.
  • SO3C-4 - Proposed variant of the SO3C-3 with arrester hook and catapult capable, not built.
  • SO3C-4B - Lend-lease variant of the SO3C-4 for the Royal Navy as the Seamew II, not built.
  • SOR-1 - Ryan variant of the SO3C, not built.
Bibliography:
  • Steve Ginter - The "Reluctant Dragon" The Curtiss SO3C Seagull/Seamew; Naval Fighters Number Forty-Seven
  • R. Johnson: United States Naval Aviation, 1919-1941 - Aircraft, Airships and Ships Between the Wars
  • Roy A. Grossnick, William J. Armstrong: United States Naval Aviation 1910-1995
  • Curtiss: Company Profile 1907-1947 Aeroplane Company Profile, 2014
  • Peter M. Bowers: Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947
  • John M. Elliott: The Official Monogram U.S. Navy & Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide Vol. 2 1940-1949
  • Thomas E. Doll, Barkley R. Jackson: Navy Air Colors: United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Aircraft Camouflage and Markings Vol. 1 1911-1945; Squadron/Signal Publications 6159