SC-1 Curtiss Seahawk Little Rock Navy

Aircraft's History

The Curtiss SC Seahawk was designed as a replacement for the famous Vought Kingfisher, to meet the requirement for a reconnaissance seaplane launched from US Navy battleships and cruisers. Most ship-based spotter aircraft were two-seaters with a rear observer/gunner. Unusually, the Seahawk was designed as a single-seat aircraft which could theoretically hold its own against enemy fighters. Although the Japanese also had fighter floatplanes, these were for use on remote island outposts, not for shipboard operations.

Seahawks were manufactured in Columbus, Ohio, and initially fitted out with fixed wheel undercarriage. They were then ferried to Navy bases, where the floats were fitted.

Seahawks were first placed into operation on the USS Guam and were issued as standard equipment from late 1944 onwards. The first action involving a Seahawk was in Borneo in June 1945, and afterwards they saw only limited combat in the final weeks of WW II. Various post-war developments ensued. However, production ceased in 1946, after some 577 aircraft had been built. The changing combat environment and the development of the helicopter, meant that ship-launched reconnaissance seaplanes would no longer be needed.

	Designation:	SC
	Popular Name:	Seahawk
	Manufacturer:	Curtiss
	First Flown:	1943
	Role:	Ship-based Scout Recon

Curtiss SC-1 Data
First flight:	16 Feb. 44; 500+ built
Crew:	1
Length:	36' 5"
Height:	17' (without land wheels)
Wingspan:	41'
Weight:	7240 lbs (9000 lbs overload)
Speed:	130 mph cruise (313 mph max)
Range:	625 mi
Engine:	Wright R-1820-62, 1350 hp
Armament:	2 - Forward facing 50 cal. Machine Guns, 1 - 295 kg Bomb