Curtiss SOC Seagull

Scout observation seaplane introduced in 1935

Curtiss SOC 3 Seagull
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credit: Bill Larkins
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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.

Manufacturer:
Curtiss
Country:
United States
Manufactured:
1935 to: 1940
ICAO:
SOC
Price:
Avionics:
Engine:
1x Pratt & Whitney R-1340-18 radial engine
other: Other
Power:
600 horsepower
Max Cruise Speed:
143 knots
265 Km/h
Approach Speed (Vref):
48 knots
Travel range:
587 Nautical Miles
1,087 Kilometers
Fuel Economy:
Service Ceiling:
14,900 feet
Rate of Climb:
915 feet / minute
4.65metre / second
Take Off Distance:
Landing Distance:
Max Take Off Weight:
2,470 Kg
5,445 lbs
Max Landing Weight:
Max Payload:
300 Kg
661 lbs
Fuel Tank Capacity:
140 gallon
530 litre
Baggage Volume:
Seats - Economy / General:
2 seats
Seats - Business Class:
Seats - First Class:
Cabin Height:
Cabin Width:
Cabin Length:
Exterior Length:
9.58 metre - 31.43 feet
Tail height:
4.5 metre - 14.76 feet
Fuselage Diameter:
1.1 metre - 3.61 feet
Wing Span / Rotor Diameter:
10.97 metre - 35.99 feet
Wing Tips:
No Winglets

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.

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