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United States' Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk floatplane1
Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk:
Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk:
Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk:
Design
With the failure of the Seamew the United States Navy issued a new specification for a scouting floatplane in June 1942.1
Fuselage
In the rear of the fuselage a stretcher could be carried.1
Prototype
The XSC-1 prototype first flew on February 16, 1944.1
Production
A contract was issued in March 1943.1 In June 1943 500 SC-1s were ordered.1
The Seahawks were produced at Curtiss' Columbus, Ohio factory as land planes with fixed undercarriages.1 The floats were installed by the United States Navy for the ones that they wanted to be floatplanes.1
Production was cancelled when Japan surrendered.1
- XSC-1/A: 31
- SC-1: 5631
- SC-2: 101
- Total: 5761
Variants
- XSC-1: Prototype.1
- SC-1: Deliveries began in October 1944.1
- SC-2: Was powered by the Wright R01830-76 Cyclone engine (1,425 HP).1 It had a clear view canopy, altered fin and rudder, and a jump seat behind the pilot.1
Usage
The Seahawk was only used by the United States.1
Combat Debut
During the invasion of Borneo in June 1945 the SC-1 first saw action.1
| Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk1 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Scout and anti submarine floatplane1 |
| Crew | 11 |
| Engine (Type) | Wright R-1820-62 Cyclone1 |
| Cylinders | Radial 91 |
| Cooling | |
| HP | 1,3501 |
| Propeller blades | 41 |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 41'1 12.5 m1 |
| Length | 36' 4.5"1 11.08 m1 |
| Height - on beaching gear | 16'1 4.88 m1 |
| Wing area | |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 6,320 lb1 2,867 kg1 |
| Loaded | 9,000 lb1 4,082 kg1 |
| Performance | |
| Speed at sea level | 238 mph1 383 kph1 |
| Speed @ 28,600' / 8,717 m |
313 mph1 504 kph1 |
| Cruising speed | 125 mph1 201 kph1 |
| Climb | 2,500'/minute1 763 m/minute1 |
| Service ceiling | 37,300'1 11,370 m1 |
| Range | 1,090 miles1 1,754 km1 |
| Armament | 2: 0.5" MG1 |
| Bombs - under wings | 650 lb1 295 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
