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

Photo #: 80-G-457421 Rear Admiral Ernest J. King, USN Arrives on board USS Lexington (CV-2) in his new Curtiss SOC-1 aircraft, 2 June 1936. Note the plane's glossy blue "flag" color scheme. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 615 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.
Photo #: 80-CF-8008-4 Rear Admiral Charles A. Blakeley, USN, Commander, Carrier Division Two With members of his staff, posed in front of a Curtiss SOC aircraft at Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Virginia, 14 January 1938. Those present are identified in Photo # 80-CF-8008-4 (complete caption). Photograph from Department of the Navy collections in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 103KB; 740 x 605 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.
Photo #: NH 80519 Curtiss SOC-3 scout-observation floatplane Close-up view of the forward fuselage port side, showing the "Winged Pelican" insignia of Observation Squadron Two (VO-2B) and maintenance access panels, 1938. The plane is assigned to USS California (BB-44). Courtesy of Howard F. Ailes, 1974. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 500 pixels
Photo #: 80-G-K-13541 (Color) Aviation Machinist's Mate Polishes the propeller of a Curtiss SOC floatplane, at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, circa 1940-41. The original 35mm color slide was taken by Lieutenant Dayton S. Seiler. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 63KB; 515 x 765pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.
Photo #: 80-G-16002-B Mark XVII Depth Bomb (325 pounds) Is removed from the port wing rack of a Curtiss SOC "Seagull" scout-observation aircraft, on a catapult of USS Philadelphia (CL-41), 2 July 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 600 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.
Photo #: 80-G-16003-B Mark XVII Depth Bomb (325 pounds) Is removed from the starboard wing rack of a Curtiss SOC "Seagull" scout-observation aircraft, on board USS Philadelphia (CL-41), 2 July 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 59KB; 740 x 590 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