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From: Miloch <Miloch_member@newsguy.com>
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Subject: Curtiss SO3C Seamew
Date: 1 Mar 2017 07:30:45 -0800
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_SO3C_Seamew
The Curtiss SO3C Seamew was developed by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation as a
replacement for the SOC Seagull as the United States Navy's standard floatplane
scout. Curtiss named the SO3C the Seamew but in 1941 the US Navy began calling
it by the name Seagull, the same name as the aircraft it replaced (the Curtiss
SOC a biplane type), causing some confusion. The British Royal Navy kept the
Curtiss name, (Seamew), for the SO3C that they ordered. One of the US Navy's
main design requirements was that the SOC Seagull's replacement had to be able
to operate both from ocean vessels with a single center float and from land
bases with the float replaced by a wheeled landing gear.
From the time it entered service the SO3C suffered two serious flaws: inflight
stability problems and problems with the unique Ranger air-cooled V-shaped
inline engine. The stability problem was mostly resolved with the introduction
of upturned wingtips and a larger rear tail surface that extended over the rear
observer's cockpit. The additional tail surface was attached to the rear
observer's sliding canopy and pilots claimed there were still stability problems
when the canopy was open. The canopy was often open because the aircraft's main
role was spotting. While the inflight stability problem was eventually addressed
(although not fully solved), the Ranger XV-770 engine proved a dismal failure
even after many attempted modifications. Poor flight performance and a poor
maintenance record led to the SO3C being withdrawn from US Navy first line units
by 1944. The older biplane SOC was taken from stateside training units and
restored to first-line service on many US Navy warships until the end of World
War II.
Role
Observation floatplane
Manufacturer
Curtiss-Wright
First flight
6 October 1939
Introduction
1942
Retired
1945
Primary users
United States Navy
Fleet Air Arm
Number built
795
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".
Lettice Curtis, in her book "Forgotten Pilots", stated 'that although its
standard fuel tanks held 300 gallons, it would only just take off with the
eighty gallons' fixed as the maximum for Air Transport Auxiliary trips. In
addition the tail needed to be raised before becoming airborne, as 'it was
possible to take off in an attitude from which it was both impossible to recover
and in which there was no aileron control'. The final comment from this
experienced pilot was 'it is hard to imagine how, even in wartime, such an
aircraft could have been accepted from the factory, let alone given valuable
cargo space across the Atlantic'.
The first batch for the RN was to have a centreline bomb rack and arrestor gear.
Later versions, known as the Seamew Mk.I, were the SO3-2C variant. 250 Seamews
were allocated and some 100 actually 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.
Specifications (SO3C-2)
General characteristics
Crew: two
Length: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m)
Wingspan: 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m)
Height: 15 ft 0 in (4.57 m)
Empty weight: 4,284 lb (1,943 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 5,729 lb (2,599 kg)
(447 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed: 172 mph (150 kn, 277 km/h)
Cruise speed: 123 mph (107 kn, 210 km/h)
Range: 1,150 mi (1,000 nmi, 1,851 km)
Endurance: 8 hours
Service ceiling: 15,800 ft (4,815 m)
Power/mass: 0.10 hp/lb (0.17 kW/kg)
Armament
(12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun in rear cockpit
*
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