SEAMEW SO3C (LAND VERSION)

The Curtiss SO3C Seamew was an on-board US-made reconnaissance seaplane from the Second World War. The drive was provided by a single engine in the basic version Ranger XV-770 with 600 hp. The first flight of this machine took place in October 1939. In the years 1941-1944 serial production took place, which led to the creation of about 800 aircraft of this type. The deck armament consisted of two 7.62 mm machine guns. The plane could also carry a bomb load of up to 147 kilograms. The Curtiss SO3C Seamew was developed as a new, primary US Navy reconnaissance seaplane and as a successor to the SOC Seagull aircraft. However, the machine turned out to be not very successful. Most of all, it was troubled by technical problems with the underdeveloped Ranger XV-770 engine, as well as significant problems with flight stability with an open observer's cabin. Moreover, the SO3C Seamew's performance was rather average, especially with the flight range and maximum patrolling time. Some of these planes were exported to Great Britain under the Lend-and-Lease program. The planes used by this country had a fixed wheeled undercarriage instead of a float undercarriage and were designated SO3C-1. They entered service with the Royal Navy in January 1944 and were withdrawn by the end of 1945.