Curtiss SOC Seagull

Scout observation seaplane introduced in 1935

Overview

Curtiss United States ICAO: SOC 1935–1940

The Curtiss SOC Seagull was designed by Alexander Solla of the Curtiss-Wright Corporation as a scout observation seaplane powered by a single-engine. The aircraft was intended for the United States Navy and performed duties on warships. It first flew in April 1934 and was introduced in November 1935. The SOCs were mainly used by the United States Navy, as well as the United States Coast Guard and the United States Marine Corps.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340-18 radial engine
Engine type
other: Other
Power
600 hp · 447 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
31 ft 5 in  ·  9.58 m
Tail height
14 ft 9 in  ·  4.50 m
Fuselage diameter
3 ft 7 in  ·  1.10 m
Wing span
36 ft 0 in  ·  10.97 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
5,450 lb  ·  2,450 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
650 lb  ·  300 kg
Fuel capacity
140 gal · 500 L · 400 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
143 kt  ·  165 mph  ·  265 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
48 kt  ·  55 mph  ·  89 km/h
Range
587 nm  ·  680 mi  ·  1,090 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
14,900 ft  ·  4,500 m
Rate of climb
915 ft/min  ·  5 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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A U.S. Navy Curtiss SOC-1 Seagull of Cruiser Scouting Squadron 4 in flight over Hawaii.

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Operational Context

In 1933, the United States Navy ordered for production the SOC Seagull developed by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation. In April 1934, the prototype took to the air for the first time. On November 12, 1935, the aircraft entered into service. It was produced from 1935 to 1940 with a total number of 32 aircraft built; 258 were built by Curtiss-Wright and 64 by the Naval Aircraft Factory designated as the SON-1.

The SOC-1 was an initial production version with an external length of 9.58 meters, an external height of 3.8 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1.1 meters. It is fitted with two seats for the pilot and the observer. The wingspan is 10.97 meters and the wing area is 31.8 square meters. It has a tail height of 4.5 meters, an interchangeable float, and wheeled landing gear. The empty weight is 1,718 kg, the gross weight is 2,466 kg, the maximum payload is 300 kg, and the fuel tank capacity is 140 US gal.

The aircraft is powered by a single Pratt and Whitney R-1340-18 engine. It is a nine-cylinder single-row supercharged air-cooled radial engine with two overhead valves per cylinder, a single-speed centrifugal-type supercharger, a two-barrel Stromberg carburetor, and an air-cooling system. The engine produces a maximum takeoff thrust of 600 horsepower. The aircraft has a maximum speed of 143 knots at 5,000 feet. The cruise speed is 116 knots and the stall speed is 48.6 knots. It has a travel range of 587 nautical miles at 5,000 feet. It can fly up to 14,900 feet and can climb at a rate of 915 feet per minute.

The armaments included a single forward-firing 7.62 mm Browning M2 AN medium machine gun and a single flexible mounted rear-firing 7.62 mm Browning M2 AN machine gun. It was also loaded with up to 295 kg of bombs.