Quote:
Originally Posted by 3798j
Lt Cruiser USS Biloxi with its Curtis So3C Seamew
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The SO3C is an interesting, if not particularly successful, airplane. They were delivered starting in mid-1942, but retired in early 1944, well before the end of the war.
One of the peculiarities was an air-cooled inverted V-12 engine of 770 cubic inches displacement. They could be used on floats or on wheels and in some versions were carrier-capable. If on wheels they could carry a 500-pound bomb on the centerline.
Curtiss' next floatplane, the single-seat SC, was much more successful but did not get to the fleet until late 1944. It had a pretty short life because of the advent of the helicopter.
By the way, check out the SO3C's "winglets"; waaay ahead of their time!