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SC Seahawk
| SC Seahawk | |
|---|---|
| Type | Scout seaplane |
| Manufacturer | Curtiss |
| Maiden flight | 16 February 1944 |
| Introduced | 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
Development
Work began in June 1942, following a U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics request for scout seaplane proposals. Curtiss submitted the Seahawk design on August 1 of that year, with a contract for two prototypes and five service-test aircraft awarded on August 25.[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.
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 U.S. Navy regulations from 1944, 1945, and later post-war regulations.
Specifications (SC-1, float-equipped)
Data from Dave's Warbirds[2] and The Virtual Aviation Museum[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Length: 36 ft 4.5 in (11 m)
- Wingspan: 41 ft (12.5 m)
- Height: 12 ft 9 in (3.9 m)
- Wing area: 280 ft² (26 m²)
- Empty weight: 6,320 lb (2,867 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 9,000 lb (4,082 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Wright R-1820-62 Cyclone supercharged 9-cylinder radial engine, 1,350 hp (1,007 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 252 knots (290 mph, 465 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 113 knots (125 mph, 210 km/h)
- Range: 543 nm (625 mi, 1,000 km)
- Service ceiling: 32,000 ft (9,750 m)
- Wing loading: 32.19 lb/ft² (157 kg/m²)
Armament
- 2× .50 M2 Browning machine guns, 200 rounds each
- 650 lb (295 kg) of external ordnance
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 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.
- ↑ SC Seahawk. Dave's Warbirds. Retrieved on 2006-07-14.
- ↑ Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk. The Virtual Aviation Museum. Retrieved on 2007-01-13.
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