The Curtiss SOC Seagull was designed by Alexander Solla as a scout and observation floatplane with folding wings for use on USN battleships and cruisers in the same way the Royal Navy used the Supermarine Walrus, in fact some Curtiss SOC Seagulls were used by the Royal Navy in place of the Walrus following the acquisition of the aircraft via the "Lend Lease Program". The SOC Seagull entered service in 1935 and served until the end of WW2 at which time over 300 aircraft had been produced. It is of note that the centre float could be replaced with wheels to allow the aircraft to be used on land or aircraft carriers. Curtiss SOC-1 Seagull Specifications: Crew: Pilot and observer Length: 31 ft 1 in (9.48 m) Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in (10.98 m) Height: 14 ft 9 in Empty weight: 3,633 lb (1,648 kg) Loaded weight: 5,306 lb (2,407 kg) Engine: Single 550 hp (410 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340-22 radial engine Maximum speed: 165 mph (266 km/h) Range: 675 mi (1,086 km) Service ceiling: 14,900 ft (4,540 m)
Armament: Single forward firing 0.30 in (7.62 mm) M1919 Browning machine gun Single rear cockpit mounted 0.30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun Maximum of 650 lb (295 kg) of bombs
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