SO3C Seamew

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Curtiss SO3C Seamew
Image:so3c.jpg
Curtiss Seamew
Description
Role Seaplane scout
Crew 2
First Flight 1941
Entered Service 1942
Manufacturer Curtiss
Dimensions
Length 36 ft 10 in 11.25 m
Wingspan 38 ft 0 in 11.6 m
Height 15 ft 0 in 4.6 m
Wing area 290ft² 27 m²
Weights
Empty 4284 lb 1943 kg
Loaded lb kg
Maximum takeoff 5729 lb 2599 kg
Powerplant
Engines 1 Ranger XV-770 inline
Power 600 hp kW
Performance
Maximum speed 172 mph 277 km/h
Combat range miles km
Ferry range 1150 miles 1850 km
Service ceiling 15,800 ft 4815 m
Rate of climb ft/min m/min
Wing loading lb/ft² kg/m²
Power/Mass hp/lb kW/kg
Avionics
Avionics
Armament
Guns 1 .30 machine guns in cowling
1 .50 MG in rear cockpit
Bombs 2 100 lb
Missiles
Rockets
Other 1 325 lb depth charge

The Curtiss SO3C Seamew was intended as a replacement for the SOC Seagull as the U.S. Navy's standard floatplane scout. Entering service in 1942, the type suffered a variety of problems, primarily with the Ranger XV-770 engine which was a dismal failure, and was withdrawn by 1944. Among its many flaws, part of the vertical tail was attached to the sliding aft canopy, compromising the aircraft's stability when the aft canopy was in the open position, which it often needed to be for spotting.

[edit] Royal Navy service

A number of the SO3C-1s, not a floatplane but a fixed undercarriage version, were ordered by the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm under the terms of Lend-Lease. In RN service the SO3C was given the designation "Seamew" a name used again in the 1950s for the Short Seamew. Crews gave it the more appropriate name "Sea Cow".

The first batch for the RN had a centreline bomb rack and arrestor gear. Later versions , known as the Seamew 1 were the SO3-2C variant. Two hundred and fifty Seamews were delivered, the last batch was refused in favour of additional Vought Kingfishers. Deliveries to the RN started in January 1944. It was declared obsolete in September the same year and completey removed from service in 1945.

The SO3-1K was to have been taken into service as the Queen Seamew but an order of 30 was cancelled.

Seamews served with No. 744 NAS, No. 745 NAS at Nova Scotia Canada, and No. 755 NAS based in Hampshire, UK.

[edit] Operators