The Curtiss SOC Seagull was an American, scout and observation aircraft used by the US Navy during World War II. In this armed conflict, it flew extensively from battleships and cruisers, especially in the Pacific Theater. The pilot and observer were expected to spot targets and direct the big naval guns of the huge warships. Although it was fitted with a long float to land on water, the SOC-2 version was equipped with wheels to take off from runways on land airbases. Being the last of the Curtiss biplane to be used operationally, the Seagull flew combat sorties until 1945, when it was fully replaced by the Vought OS2U Kingfisher, which was a floatplane.
The prototype of the Curtiss SOC Seagull firs flew on April 20, 1934, and it was introduced into service with the US Navy the following year, on November 12, 1945. Except for carrier operations, all SOCs operated with a single float, being launched by a shipboard catapult while at sea. Take-offs were made at full power with flaps full down. Having completed its mission, the pilot landed on water alongside the ship and onto a sort of sea sled, which was called the plane trap that was towed by the ship. Once the plane was firmly secured in this platform, a hook was lowered from the ship deck to lift it off the water and onto the deck, using a crane. Being a biplane, this aircraft was blessed with remarkable agility and, in wheel configuration, it could out-turn many faster monoplanes.
Technical Description
The Curtis SOC Seagull was a two-seat, single-engine biplane adapted for sea operations. It had folding wings that bent backwards. Both the upper and lower plane of wings were fitted with flaps, aside from the ailerons. The fuselage was made of welded steel tubes covered by thin metal sheet and fabric, while the tail structure was made of fabric-covered light metal alloy. The wings were built with aluminum, while both planes were secured by struts and wire. In seaplane configuration, the aircraft was fitted with a single, large, centerline float. A pair of small outrigger floats was fitted to the lower plane of wing to provide stability while on water. The SOC-3 version was powered by one Pratt & Whitney R-1340 piston engine, which delivered 600 horsepower.
Specifications
Type: scout and observation naval biplane
Length: 9.47 m (31 feet, 1 inch)
Wing Span: 10.97 m (36 feet)
Wing Area: 31.77 m2 (328 square feet)
Height: 4.44 m (14 feet, 7 inches)
Power Plant: one 600-HP, Pratt & Whitney R-1340 piston engine.
Maximum Speed: 266 km/h (165 mph)
Range: 1,086 km (673 miles)
Service Ceiling: 4,540 m (14,900 feet)
Crew: two (pilot - observer)
Armament: two 7.62-mm (.30-cal) machine guns; two 147-kg (325-lb) bombs.
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| Seagulls flying over the Pacific in early 1942. |
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| Above, an SOC-2 variant, in wheel configuration, about to land at a shore station. |
