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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Photo # 80-G-79418: Curtiss SOC-1 is recovered by its parent cruiser, July 1943

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

Curtiss SOC Scout-Observation Floatplanes --
Shipboard Recovery from the Water


This page features views of Curtiss SOC scout-observation planes being recovered by ships after landing 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 93166

    Curtiss SOC scout observation floatplane


    Taxies onto the recovery mat alongside USS Houston (CA-30), to be picked up by the cruiser's aircraft crane, circa 1938.
    USS Portland (CA-33) is in the distance, also recovering a seaplane.

    Courtesy of Otto Schwartz, 1982.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 545 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 47007

    Convoy to Iceland, September 1941


    USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37) hoists in a Curtiss SOC scout-observation plane after a patrol.
    View looks aft on the cruiser's starboard side, with midships' 5"/25 guns in the foreground. Another SOC is resting on the starboard catapult.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 545 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-21926

    USS Memphis (CL-13)


    A Curtiss SOC "Seagull" scout-observation aircraft taxiis up alongside the cruiser for recovery, after landing in the water slick created when the ship turned to starboard, circa early 1942.
    Note recovery gear at right.

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

    Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-21927

    USS Memphis (CL-13)


    A Curtiss SOC "Seagull" scout-observation aircraft hooks onto the recovery mat, in preparation for being hoisted on board, circa early 1942.
    Note flags marking the mat's front edges, and men watching from the whaleboat in the lower right.

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

    Online Image: 141KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-21925

    USS Memphis (CL-13)


    A Curtiss SOC "Seagull" scout-observation aircraft is lowered onto the cruiser's starboard catapult, after recovery, circa early 1942.
    Note crewmen wearing tropical white uniforms, searchlights alongside smokestacks, 3"/50 anti-aircraft guns in front of the catapult and .50 caliber machine guns behind it.

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

    Online Image: 123KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-470062

    Curtiss SOC "Seagull" scout-observation aircraft


    Taxiis toward the ship's stern, for recovery by USS Philadelphia (CL-41), during the North African operation, November 1942.
    Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR.

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

    Online Image: 84KB; 650 x 675 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-470061

    Curtiss SOC "Seagull" scout-observation aircraft


    Is lifted from the sea as it is recovered by USS Philadelphia (CL-41), during the North African operation, November 1942.
    Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR.

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

    Online Image: 85KB; 650 x 675 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-470060

    Curtiss SOC "Seagull" scout-observation aircraft


    Is hoisted on board USS Philadelphia (CL-41), during the North African operation, November 1942.
    Note crewmen holding lines to steady the plane as the aircraft crane swings it inboard.
    Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR.

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

    Online Image: 89KB; 645 x 675 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-470059

    Curtiss SOC "Seagull" scout-observation aircraft


    Is unhooked from the crane after recovery by USS Philadelphia (CL-41), during the North African operation, November 1942.
    Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR.

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

    Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 600 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-79418

    Curtiss SOC-1 "Seagull" scout-observation aircraft


    Is hoisted from the water, during recovery by its parent cruiser, July 1943.
    The plane wears the markings of Cruiser Scouting Squadron Seven.

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

    Online Image: 124KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-55338

    Wake Island raid
    , 5-6 October 1943

    A Curtiss SOC "Seagull" scout-observation aircraft is lowered onto the port catapult of USS Minneapolis (CA-36), after it returned from spotting gunfire during the 5 October bombardment.

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

    Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 555 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