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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Photo # NH 80511: Curtiss SOC-3 at San Diego, California, 1938

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY AIRCRAFT -- 1922-1962 DESIGNATION SYSTEM --

Curtiss SOC Scout-Observation Planes --
Ground & On-water Views


This page features views of Curtiss SOC scout-observation planes on the ground, in both landplane and floatplane configurations, and on the water.

For additional views of SOC aircraft, see:

  • Curtiss SOC "Seagull" Scout-Observation Planes.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 61228

    Curtiss SOC-1 Scout-Observation plane

    (Bureau # 9856, the first SOC-1)

    Parked on the seaplane apron at a Naval Air Station, 30 October 1935.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 555 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 80511

    Curtiss SOC-3 scout-observation floatplanes
    ,
    of Observation Squadron Two (VO-2B).

    Parked at Reeves Field, San Diego, California, in 1938.
    Note the VO-2 insignia painted on these aircraft.

    Courtesy of Howard F. Ailes, 1974.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 580 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-32492

    Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941


    Sandbagged .30 caliber machine gun emplacement with gun crew on alert, at the seaplane base near Ford Island's southern tip, soon after the Japanese attack.
    Note wind sock atop hangar at right, PBY patrol plane warming up by the corner of the hangar, another PBY in the center distance, and three SOC floatplanes at left with the beached battleship Nevada (BB-36) beyond.
    Sandbags are marked "Permanente".

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 600 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-302116

    Curtiss SOC "Seagull" scout-observation aircraft
    ,
    of Cruiser Scouting Squadron Seven (VCS-7)

    "Beached" at an English airfield, while VCS-7 was flying the higher-performance British "Spitfire" fighters to spot naval gunfire during the Normandy Landings, circa June 1944. Another SOC and a Vought OS2U are parked in the background. Squadron maintenance personnel are servicing the planes to keep them available for sea duty.
    This photograph was received by the Naval Photographic Science Laboratory on 17 February 1945.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 127KB; 740 x 615 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-5852

    Curtiss SOC-1 scout-observation aircraft

    (Bureau # 9856 -- the first SOC-1)

    Parked on the apron at Naval Air Station, Anacostia, D.C., circa September 1935.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 520 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 83925

    Curtiss SOC-1 scout observation plane
    ,
    (Bureau # 9880)

    In landplane configuration, circa 1935.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Chief Boatswains Mate Ralph E. Turpin.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 57KB; 740 x 515 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 50006

    USS Shaw (DD-373)


    Underway in Pearl Harbor, 8 February 1942, headed out to sea for a trial run after installation of a stub bow to temporarily replace that destroyed during the Japanese attack of 7 December 1941.
    The day after this photograph was taken, Shaw steamed to the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, for permanent repairs.
    Note Curtiss SOC "Seagull" floatplane taxiing in right center.

    Collection of Vice Admiral Homer N. Wallin.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

    Online Image: 63KB; 740 x 595 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-66128

    USS Vincennes (CA-44)


    At Pearl Harbor, circa 26-28 May 1942, prior to departing to take part in the Battle of Midway.
    A Curtiss SOC floatplane is in the left foreground.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 44KB; 740 x 595 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-384393

    USS Montpelier (CL-57)


    Enters Havannah Harbor, Efate, New Hebrides, as seen from USS Columbia (CL-56) on 22 April 1943.
    Note the Curtiss SOC "Seagull" floatplane in the right foreground, and the worn paintwork on Montpelier's hull, forward and amidships, with apparently fresh paint further aft.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 102KB; 740 x 620 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     


    For additional views of SOC aircraft, see:

  • Curtiss SOC "Seagull" Scout-Observation Planes.


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 21 April 2001
    Coding updated 7 May 2009