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Curtiss Seagull

The Curtiss Seagull appeared shortly after the end of First World War. Although it was probably the best small flying boat of the period, not many were sold. The Seagull had to compete with the low-priced, war-surplus Curtiss MF flying boats from which it had been developed. Though both somewhat small for the job, both the Seagull and the Curtis MF were flown in some Canadian bush operations.

With its wooden hull, pusher engine, and fabric-covered wings, the Seagull was typical of the flying boats of the period. The hull was constructed of mahogany plywood veneer over a wood frame and could accommodate three people.

Museum Example

The Museum example was the first aircraft to explore the upper Amazon Valley in Brazil. During 1924-25, it conducted an aerial survey of the Parima River headwaters. It was donated to the South Kensington Science Museum in London, where it was slightly damaged in a bombing raid in 1941. Initially on loan, it finally came into the Museum’s collection in 1968 in exchange for a Douglas Dakota nose-section. The Seagull was restored by the Museum.

Specifications

Wing Span:
15.2 m (49 ft 9 in)
Length:
8.8 m (28 ft 10 3/16 in)
Height:
3.6 m (11 ft 9 7/32 in)
Weight, Empty:
888 kg (1,957 lb)
Weight, Gross:
1,237 kg (2,726 lb)
Cruising Speed:
97 km/h (60 mph)
Max Speed:
122 km/h (76 mph)
Rate of Climb:
914 m (3,000 ft) / 10 min
Service Ceiling:
1,800 m (5,900 ft)
Range:
464 km (288 mi)
Power Plant:
one Curtiss C-6A, 160 hp, in-line engine

Additional Photographs

The Canada Aviation Museum’s Image Bank contains additional photographs of this aircraft. Images are provided for non-commercial study or research purposes only and may not be reproduced or published without the prior consent of the Canada Aviation Museum.

Find out more about our Image bank here.