SON-1 Seagull

The SON‑1 Seagull was the Naval Aircraft Factory’s first post‑war fixed‑wing design, entering service in 1952 as a light maritime patrol and utility aircraft. Developed to replace aging seaplanes such as the Jettac‑40, the Seagull combined a conventional low‑wing monoplane layout with a retractable amphibious hull, allowing operation from both aircraft carriers and coastal waterfields. Its airframe was built from a mix of aluminum alloy and corrosion‑resistant composites, giving a maximum take‑off weight of 4,200 lb and a payload capacity of 1,200 lb for radar, sonar buoys, or light cargo. Powered by a single 1,200 hp radial engine driving a three‑bladed constant‑speed propeller, the SON‑1 could cruise at 210 knots and achieve a range of over 1,800 nm, making it well suited for extended surveillance missions.

The Seagull’s most notable feature was its integrated magnetic‑anomaly detector housed in a ventral pod, which provided the U.S. Navy with a new tool for early submarine detection during the early Cold War. Although only 84 units were built, the aircraft demonstrated the feasibility of amphibious utility platforms and influenced later designs such as the P‑3 Orion’s maritime patrol concepts. The SON‑1 Seagull remains a milestone in naval aviation, marking a transition from pure seaplanes to versatile, carrier‑compatible reconnaissance aircraft.