both impossible to recover and in which there was no aileron control." The final comment from this experienced pilot was "it is hard to imagine how, even in wartime, such an aircraft could have been accepted from the factory, let alone given valuable cargo space across the Atlantic." The first batch for the RN was to have a centreline bomb rack and arrestor gear. Later versions, known as the Seamew Mk.I, were the SO3-2C variant. 250 Seamews were allocated and some 100 actually delivered, the last batch was refused in favour of additional Vought Kingfishers. Deliveries to the RN started in January 1944. It was declared obsolete in September the same year and completely removed from service in 1945. The SO3C-1K was to have been taken into service as the Queen Seamew, but an order of 30 was canceled. Seamews served with No. 744 NAS and No. 745 NAS at RCAF Yarmouth, Nova Scotia , Canada, and with No. 755 NAS based in Hampshire, UK. Variants XSO3C-1 Prototype, one built originally as a landplane and later modified as a floatplane. SO3C-1 Production variant, 141 built. SO3C-1K SO3C-1 aircraft modified as target drones, some to the Royal Navy as the Queen Seamew I. SO3C-2 Similar to SO3C-1 but with arrester gear, landplane variant could be fitted with a ventral bomb rack, 200 built. SO3C-2C Lend-lease variant of the SO3C-2 with improved radio and 24V electrical system, for the Royal Navy as the Seamew I, 259 ordered but only about 59 were built. SO3C-3 Reduced weight variant with detailed improvements and catapult operation ability removed, 39 built with a further 659 cancelled. SO3C-4 Proposed variant of the SO3C-3 with arrester hook and catapult capable, not built. SO3C-4B Lend-lease variant of the SO3C-4 for the Royal Navy as the Seamew II, not built. Operators Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm 744 Naval Air Squadron 745 Naval Air Squadron 755 Naval Air Squadron United States Navy Specifications (SO3C-2) See also References Notes Bibliography Bowers, Peter M. Curtis Aircraft, 1907–1947. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1979. . Ginter, Steve. The Reluctant Dragon – The Curtiss SO3C Seagull/Seamew (Naval Fighters No.47). Simi Valley, CA: Ginter Books, 1999. . Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Six: Floatplanes. London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1962. Larkins, William T. Battleship and Cruiser Aircraft of the United States Navy. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Books, Inc., 1996. . OCLC