SC Seahawk

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Curtiss SC being launched

SC-1 Seahawk near USS Alaska (CB-1) – March 1945 Iwo Jima

Curtiss SC-1 near USS Alaska (CB-1) - March 1945 Iwo Jima

Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk of the VCS-10 1944-1945

Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk of the VCS-10 1944-1945, color photo

Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk Scout Seaplane

Curtiss SC-2

Curtiss SC-2 in flight

SC in flight

SC on board USS Duluth CL-87 June 5, 1945

SC recovered by USS Chicago August 1945

SC Seahawk 1945

SC-1 June 1945 3

SC-1 Seahawk near USS Alaska, March 1945 Iwo Jima

SC-1 near USS Alaska, March 1945 Iwo Jima

SC-1 over Patuxent River July 31, 1944

SC-1 over Patuxent River July 31, 1944 2

SC-1 Seahawk seaplane takes off

Curtiss SC Seahawks ready to be catapulted from USS Los Angeles (CA-135) – 1945

SC-1 Seahawks ready to be catapulted from USS Los Angeles CA-135 1945

SC-1 with wings folded June 1945

SC-1 with wings folded June 1945 2

Seahawks in flight

XSC 1 Seahawk with folded wings

Curtiss XSC-1 Seahawk with undercarriage

XSC-1 propeller blades bent after nosing over during an errant landing at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland 16 December 1944

Curtiss SC Seahawk The Curtiss SC Seahawk (Model 97) was a scout seaplane designed by the Curtiss for the U.S. Navy. Powerplant: 1350 hp Wright R-1820-62 Cyclone (SC-1) or 1425 hp R-1820-76 (SC-2).

Serials

XSC-1: 34095, 34096, 35298 - 35300 SC-1: 35301 - 35797, 93302 - 93367 XSC-2: 35202 SC-2: 119529 to 119538

Design and Structure

Type: Single-seat, shipborne scout.
Wings:
- Configuration: Low-wing cantilever monoplane with a rectangular center section and tapered, dihedral outer sections. The wings include square detachable tips and fold back for shipboard storage. They are of an all-metal stressed-skin structure with full-span automatic leading-edge slots and slotted flaps inboard of the ailerons.
Fuselage:
- Design: All-metal stressed-skin structure, circular in cross-section at the front, transitioning to an oval shape towards the rear.
Tail Unit:
- Type: Cantilever monoplane with an all-metal structure. The elevators and rudder have trim-tabs.
Floats:
- Configuration:
  - Central single-step float mounted on a streamlined pedestal, accommodating bomb load or auxiliary fuel tanks.
  - Two wing-tip stabilizing floats on single cantilever struts.
  - Wheel landing gear can replace the float gear for ferrying operations, using the same attachment points. The central float includes catapult points and a hook under the nose for net pick-up.

Power Plant

Engine:
- Type: Wright R-1820-62 nine-cylinder radial air-cooled engine.
- Propeller: Curtiss electrically-operated airscrew with four hollow steel paddle-type blades.
- Fuel: Main fuel tanks are located in the wing center section, with auxiliary tanks optionally in the main float.

Accommodation and Equipment

Cockpit:
- Positioned over the wing with a sliding blister-type canopy. For sea-rescue missions, a bunk can be installed behind the pilot's seat.

Armament

Guns:
- Two .50-cal. machine guns mounted in the wing center section, one on each side of the fuselage.
Bombs:
- The central float can carry bombs or depth charges, which are housed in bomb doors controllable from the cockpit.

Dimensions

Span: 41 ft. (12.5 m)
Length: 36 ft. 5 in. (11.1 m)

Bibliography

Billy Jack Long: Curtiss SC-1/2 Seahawk Naval Fighters Number Thirty-Eight
Curtiss: Company Profile 1907-1947 Aeroplane Company Profile, 2014
Peter M. Bowers: Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947
John M. Elliott: The Official Monogram U.S. Navy & Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide Vol. 2 1940-1949
Thomas E. Doll, Barkley R. Jackson: Navy Air Colors: United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Aircraft Camouflage and Markings Vol. 1 1911-1945; Squadron/Signal Publications 6159
Gordon Swanborough, Peter M. Bowers: United States Navy Aircraft since 1911