SC Seahawk

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SC Seahawk
Type Scout seaplane
Manufacturer Curtiss
Maiden flight 16 February 1944
Retired 1949
Primary user United States Navy
Number built 577

The SC Seahawk was a scout seaplane designed by Curtiss for the U.S. Navy. The existing Curtiss SO3C Seamew and the Vought OS2U Kingfisher were 1937 designs that, by 1942, needed replacement.[1]

Contents

[edit] Design and development

Work began in June 1942, following a US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics request for scout seaplane proposals. Curtiss submitted the Seahawk design on 1 August 1942, with a contract for two prototypes and five service-test aircraft awarded on 25 August.[1]

While only intended to seat the pilot, a bunk was provided in the aft fuselage for rescue or personnel transfer. Two M2 Browning machine guns were fitted in the wings, and two underwing hardpoints allowed carriage of 250 lb bombs or, on the right wing, surface-scan radar. The main float, designed to incorporate a bomb bay, suffered substantial leaks when used in that fashion, and was modified to carry an auxiliary fuel tank.[1]

The first flight of a prototype XSC-1 took place 16 February 1944 at the Columbus, Ohio Curtiss plant. Flight testing continued through 28 April, when the last of the seven pre-production aircraft took to the air. Nine further prototypes were later built, with a second seat and modified cockpit, designated SC-2; series production was not undertaken.

[edit] Operational service

The first serial production Seahawks were delivered on 22 October 1944, to the USS Guam. All 577 aircraft eventually produced for the Navy were delivered on conventional landing gear and flown to the appropriate Naval Air Station, where floats were fitted for service.

Capable of being fitted with either float or wheeled landing gear, the Seahawk was arguably America's best floatplane scout of World War II. However, its protracted development time meant it entered entered service too late to see significant action in the war. It was not until June 1945, during the pre-invasion bombardment of Borneo, that the Seahawk was involved in military action.[1] By the end of the war, seaplanes were becoming less desirable, with the Seahawk being replaced soon afterwards by helicopters.

Tri-color camouflage and markings on the Seahawk were in accordance with US Navy regulations from 1944, 1945 and later postwar regulations.

[edit] Specifications (SC-1, float-equipped)

Data from Dave's Warbirds[2] and The Virtual Aviation Museum[3]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Jane, Fred T. “The Curtiss Seahawk.” Jane’s Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London: Studio, 1946. p. 221-222. ISBN 1 85170 493 0.
  2. ^ SC Seahawk. Dave's Warbirds. [1] Access date: 14 July 2006.}
  3. ^ Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk. The Virtual Aviation Museum. [2] Access date: 13 January 2007.

[edit] External links

[edit] Related content

Comparable aircraft

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