The USN contracted for 135 of the aircraft in 1933 and this was based around the initial SOC-1 (Model 71A) standard complete with floatation equipment (power was from a Pratt & Whitney R-1340-18 engine). The aircraft had an overall length of 31.4 feet, a wingspan of 36 feet and a height of 14.8 feet. Empty weight was 3,800lb against an MTOW of 5,500lb. Maximum speed reached 165 miles per hour but cruising was typically 135mph or less. Range was out to 675 miles and the listed service ceiling became 15,000 feet. Rate-of-climb reached 915 feet-per-minute.
Armament involved a fixed, forward-firing 7.62mm Browning M2 AN machine gun for the pilot at front and a flexibly-mounted 7.62mm Browning M2 AN machine gun for the observed at the rear. Light bombing duties could be had by carrying up to 650lb of conventional drop loads.
The follow-up SOC-2 variant (Model 71B) was similar in most respects but featured a wheeled undercarriage for land-based operations. Power was form a Pratt & Whitney R-1340-22 engines. Forty of the SOC-2 models were contracted for.
The XSO2C-1 (Model 71C) was a one-off prototype intended as an improved variant but was not ordered for serial production.
The SOC-3 (Curtiss Model 71E) was based in the SOC-2 but differentiated by its interchangeable undercarriage capability (from land to sea and back as needed). Curtiss managed production of 83 of this form and the NAF followed with 64 of their own. In the latter case the aircraft were designated as SON-1.
The SOC-4 (Model 71F) were three SOC-3 aircraft set aside United States Coast Guard service. These were later passed back into the hands of the USN who reworked the trio into the carrier-capable SOC-3 standard (complete with arrestor gear). They were redesignated SOC-3A as a result.
The SO2C was a one-off developmental model based in the SOC-3 but given a stretched fuselage and carried the Pratt & Whitney R-1340-35 series engine.
The SOC Seagull series was eventually succeeded by the Vought OS2U "Kingfisher" line (detailed elsewhere on this site). The Seagulls were, in turn, relegated to the training role but some were brought back up to fighting standards when the Curtiss SO3C "Seamew (detailed elsewhere on this site), the Seagull's intended replacement, more-or-less failed in its role. Seagulls remained in both first- and second-line roles until the end of the war in 1945 and were retired quickly thereafter.
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) was the other notable operator of the Seagull line.
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