military-aircraft-sc-1

In June 1942 the US Navy asked Curtiss to design an advanced scouting plane capable of operating on fixed wheel or float landing gear. It was to replace the Curtiss SOC biplane and Curtiss SO3C monoplanes then operated from shoe bases, aircraft carriers, and major warships. Curtiss submitted its Model 97 design in August 1942, but it was March 1943 before two XSC-1 prototypes were ordered The first of these flew in February 1944 as an all metal low wing monoplane with folding wing and a clear view canopy. In June 1943 the Navy had contracted for 500 examples of the SC-1 production model. These aircraft were delivered from October 1944 as land planes, the alternative alighting gear being bought separately from Edo as a kits of one main and two stabilizing floats. A second batch of 450 aircraft were ordered, but only 66 of these had been delivered before the balance was canceled at the end of the Second World War. Only 10 of the improved SC-2 version were delivered. The last Seahawk were retired in 1949.

Description	Specifications
Manufacturer: Curtiss	Length: 36 ft. 4.5 in.
First Flight: February 1944	Height: 18 ft. 0 in.
Model: SC	Wing Span: 41 ft. 0 in.
Crew: One	Wing Area: 280.0 sq. ft.
Nickname: Seahawk	Empty Weight: 6,320 lb.
Basic Role: Scout and anti-submarine float plane.	Max. Weight: 9,000 lb.
Other Versions: SC-1 main production model with provision for one litter in the fuselage. SC-2 improved model with the 1,425-hp R-1820-76 engine, bubble canopy, and a jump seat for a second crew member.	Armament: Two 0.5-in, 12.50 machine guns, and up to 650 lb. of bombs.
Principal User: U. S. A.	Propulsion
Performance	Power Plant: Wright R-1820-62 Cyclone radial piston engine.
Range: 625 miles	Horsepower: 1,350-hp (1,007-kW)
Max. Speed: 313 mph.	No. Of Engines: One
Ceiling: 37,300 ft.
Climb Rate: 2,500 ft. per minute