SO3C Seamew (Seagull) | World War Photos

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

: SO3C-1 BuNo 4872 September 1942

: Women mechanic work on a SO3C-2C

: SO3C-2 Seamew

: SO3C-2C Seamew

: SO3C-1 BuNo 4872 September 1942 3

: SO3C-1 BuNo 4872 September 1942 2

: Curtiss SO3C-2C aboard USS Altamaha 22 June 1943

: SO3C-1 Early 1942

: Prototype XSO3C-1 undergoing rough water tests

: SO3C-2 April 1943

: Prototype XSO3C-1

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

: Curtiss Seamew Mk I serial FN489

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

: Land version of SO3C-2 Seamew BuNo 4914

: Observation floatplane Curtiss SO3C is hoisted on board

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

: SO3C Seamew floatplane leaves the port catapult of a cruiser

: Observation floatplane Curtiss SO3C-1 Seamew (Seagull)

: Curtiss SO3C Seamew in flight on 10 July 1943

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

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

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

: spotter plane Curtiss SO3C-1 Seamew

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