Curtiss SO3C Seamew

Observation floatplane introduced in 1942

Overview

Curtiss United States ICAO: SO3C 1941–1943

The Curtiss SO3C Seamew was built and produced by Curtiss-Wright Corporation to replace the SOC Seagull scout observation seaplane of the United States Navy. It first flew in October 1939 and was introduced in 1942. The SO3C Seamew was used by the United States Navy and the Fleet Air Arm. The aircraft was retired in 1945 with a total number of 795 Seamews built.

Live Fleet Activity (SO3C)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
1 × Ranger V-770-6
Engine type
Piston
Power
600 hp · 447 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
36 ft 10 in  ·  11.23 m
Tail height
15 ft 0 in  ·  4.57 m
Fuselage diameter
4 ft 3 in  ·  1.30 m
Wing span
38 ft 0 in  ·  11.58 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
5,750 lb  ·  2,600 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
650 lb  ·  300 kg
Fuel capacity
80 gal · 300 L · 200 kg (AvGas)
Max cruise speed
150 kt  ·  173 mph  ·  278 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
48 kt  ·  55 mph  ·  89 km/h
Range
1,000 nm  ·  1,150 mi  ·  1,850 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
15,800 ft  ·  4,800 m
Rate of climb
915 ft/min  ·  5 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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A U.S. Navy Curtiss SO3C-1 Seamew in flight.

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Operational Context

On October 6, 1939, the SO3C prototype performed its maiden flight. In 1942, it entered into service. During its operational years, the SO3C Seamew encountered two crucial faults which were problems with in-flight stability and with the distinct Ranger engine. In 1945, the aircraft retired from service after being announced as obsolete in September. A total of 795 So3Cs were built.

The SO3C-2 is a production version similar to the SO3C-1. It can carry two crew members and has an external length of 11.23 meters for a seaplane version; 10.41 meters for a land plane version. The external height is 3 meters and the fuselage diameter is 1.3 meters. It has a tail height of 4.57 meters, a wingspan of 11.58 meters, and a wing area of 27 square meters. The empty weight is 1,943 kg, the maximum takeoff weight is 2,599 kg, the maximum payload is 300 kg, and the fuel tank capacity is 80 US gal.

The aircraft is powered by a single Ranger V-770-6 engine. It is a twelve-cylinder inverted V-piston engine with a single overhead camshaft, a single-speed single-stage supercharger, a Holley non-icing carburetor fuel system, a full pressure type oil system, and an air cooling system. It produces a maximum takeoff thrust of 600 hp and drives a two-bladed constant-speed propeller.

The Seamew has a maximum speed of 149 knots and a cruise speed of 107 knots. It has a travel range of 1,000 nautical miles and an endurance of eight hours. It can fly up to 15,800 feet and can climb at a rate of 915 feet per minute. The aircraft could be loaded with a single 0.30 caliber forward-firing M1919 Browning medium machine gun and a single 0.50 caliber M2 Browning heavy machine gun located in the rear cockpit. It was also loaded with 45 kg of bombs or 147 kg of depth charges underwing.