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SO3C Seamew
| Curtiss SO3C Seamew | ||
|---|---|---|
 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the type suffered a variety of problems, primarily with the Ranger XV-770 engine which was a dismal failure, and was withdrawn by 1944.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.
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.
