Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk - The Last Onboard Floatplane for the US Navy (Part 1)

[Nostalgistic]

Would you like to see this in-game?

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Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk

   Hello everybody. Today, I’d like to suggest the Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk for US Aviation in War Thunder. The SC-1 Seahawk was designed and developed by Curtiss as a late-war American floatplane for the US Navy between 1944 and 1945. Its introduction replaced obsolete American floatplanes like the Curtiss SOC Seagull, SO3C Seamew, and Vought OS2U Kingfisher.

Key Characteristics

• Fast scout floatplane
• Powered by a 1,300-hp Wright R-1820-62 Cyclone turbocharged radial engine
• Armed with 2 x 0.50 caliber machine guns and capable of carrying 2 x 250-lb general purpose bombs
• Can be modified to fly with either fixed convertible landing gear or floats

History

Background

   The Curtiss SC Seahawk was developed during World War II as a scout and observation floatplane in response to a US Navy request for proposals issued in June 1942. This request was partly driven by the success of Japan’s Nakajima/Mitsubishi A6M2-N floatplane in the Pacific, highlighting the need for a more capable single-seat floatplane. The SC Seahawk was also designed to replace older models like the Curtiss SOC Seagull, SO3C Seamew, and Vought OS2U Kingfisher, which were no longer adequate for modern naval operations. Intended to operate from battleships and cruisers, the SC-1 provided critical reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and light attack capabilities. Its floatplane configuration made it ideal for the vast ocean expanses of the Pacific Theater. Curtiss submitted its design on August 1, 1942, and the Navy ordered two XSC-1 prototypes on March 31, 1943.

Overview of Technical Specifications

   The SC-1 Seahawk was a single-seat, all-metal, cantilever, low-wing monoplane with convertible landing gear. It was powered by a Wright R-1820-62 Cyclone turbocharged radial engine, producing 1,350 horsepower, which enabled a top speed of 229 mph (368 km/h) at sea level with floats equipped. The aircraft was armed with two 0.50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine guns mounted in the wings and could carry up to 650 pounds (295 kg) of ordnance, including two 250-pound bombs or two 325-pound depth charges. It also featured provisions for an AN/APS-4 radar pod on the starboard wing rack. The floatplane configuration included a single central float with an auxiliary fuel tank and two stabilizing outrigger floats. The wings were equipped with leading-edge slots for improved low-speed performance and could fold for easier storage on ships. The pilot was protected by 110 pounds (49.89 kg) of armor in the seat back and windshield. Additionally, the aircraft had a bunk in the aft fuselage to accommodate extra personnel for rescues or personnel transfers.

Service History

   The first of three XSC-1 prototypes made its maiden flight on February 16, 1944, from Curtiss’s plant in Columbus, Ohio. The Navy had already placed an order for 500 SC-1s in June 1943, and the aircraft entered service by October 1944. All SC-1s were initially delivered as landplanes with fixed landing gear, achieving a maximum speed of 334 mph (539 km/h) at 25,000 feet in landplane configuration. EDO (Earl D. Osborne Company) later converted and fitted them as floatplanes with their brand of floats as needed. The SC-1s were primarily deployed on US Navy cruisers and battleships in the Pacific Theater. The USS Guam and USS Alaska were among the first ships to receive the SC-1s, with USS Guam receiving its aircraft on October 22, 1944. The SC-1 Seahawk proved to be the best American scout floatplane of World War II, excelling in reconnaissance, enemy ship spotting, and naval gunfire direction during amphibious assaults of Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Borneo.

   Despite its effectiveness, the SC-1’s service life was short-lived due to the rapid advancement of aircraft technology and the end of the war. By VJ-Day, Curtiss had produced 562 SC-1s, with 384 additional orders canceled. The SC-2 variant, an improved version with enhanced performance and armament, was developed to succeed the SC-1 but saw limited production (only 10 units) and service before the SC Seahawk was retired in 1949 and replaced by helicopters and drones.

Specifications

Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk

General Characteristics w/ floats

• Crew: 1 (Pilot)
• Length: 36 ft 5 in (11.01 m)
• Height: 16 ft (4.88 m)
• Span: 41 ft (12.5 m)
• Wing Area: 280 sq ft (26 sq m)
• Propeller Type: 4-bladed constant-speed propeller
• Propeller Diameter: 10 ft 2 in (3.01 m)
• Powerplant: R-1820-62 air-cooled radial piston engine
  → 1,300 hp (956 kW)
• Internal Fuel: 316 US gal. (1,196 L)
• Oil Tankage: 13 US gal. (49.2 L)
• Empty Weight: 6,556 lb (2,974 kg)
• Design Weight: 7,352 lb (3,335 kg)
• Max. Takeoff Weight: 9,200 lb (4,173 kg)

Engine Ratings

• Takeoff
  → 1,300 bhp @ 2,600 rpm @ S.L.
• Military
  → 1,300 bhp @ 2,600 rpm @ 4,000 ft
• Normal
  → 1,200 bhp @ 2,600 rpm @ 5,000 ft

Performance w/ floats

• Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.17 hp/lb (0.28 kW/kg)
• Sea level Speed: 229 mph (368 km/h)
• Critical Altitude Speed: 235 mph (378 km/h) @ 2,200 ft (670 m)
• Stall Speed: 77.4 mph (124.6 km/h)
• Wing Loading: 26.25 lb/sq ft (128.2 kg/sq m)
• Takeoff Time: 16 seconds
• Rate of Climb: 2,550 fpm (12.95 m/s)
• Time to Altitude:
  • 5.7 minutes to 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
  • 17.5 minutes to 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
• Service Ceiling: 20,500 ft (6,248 m)
• Combat Radius: 259 miles (417 km)
• Combat Range: 644 miles (1,036 km)

Armament

• Guns:
  • 2 x M2 .50 caliber machine guns (400 rpg; 800 rounds)
• Bombs:
  • 2 x 250-lb bombs
  • 2 x 325-lb depth bombs

SAC Data

Cockpit

Images

Conclusion | Why it should be in the game

   Currently, US Aviation in War Thunder lacks a modern fighter floatplane, while Japan only has two such aircraft. Additionally, the OS2U scout floatplanes were removed from the game and later re-added with the introduction of US naval forces. Given this, I believe the SC-1 Seahawk is an ideal solution to fill this gap. Despite being primarily a scout, the SC-1 had excellent strike capabilities and far superior flight performance compared to the OS2U Kingfisher. Therefore, I strongly advocate for its inclusion in the game for US Aviation.

See Also

Curtiss SC-2 Seahawk - The Last Onboard Floatplane for the US Navy (Part 2)

poll [image] Curtiss SC-2 Seahawk    Hello everybody. Today, I’d like to suggest the Curtiss SC-2 Seahawk for US Aviation in War Thunder. The SC-2 Seahawk was the successor to the SC-1, designed and developed by Curtiss as a late-war American floatplane for the US Navy between 1945 and later. It incorporated several improvements and modifications over its predecessor. Key Characteristics A successor to the SC-1 fast scout floatplane Powered by a 1,450-hp Wright R-1820-76 Cyclone non-tur…

Sources

• Standard Aircraft Characteristics SC-1 “SeaHawk” (15 August 1948)
• Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947 (1987)
• U.S. Navy Floatplanes of World War II in Action (2006)
• Curtiss Company Profile 1907–1947 (2014)
• Curtiss SC Seahawk: The Navy's Reconnaissance Powerhouse
• Curtiss SC Seahawk (1944)
• Curtiss SC Seahawk Scout Floatplane / Air-Sea Rescue Aircraft
• Curtiss SC Seahawk - Wikipedia

Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃

[JamesPond1200-psn]

Finally! A powerful floatplane fighter! +1

[BOMBAY9997042-live]

can i vote more than once? +9

[BOMBAY9997042-live]

@Nostalgistic

Curtiss SOC Seagull, SO3C Seamew,

we need these as well

[Nostalgistic]

@BOMBAY9997042

can i vote more than once? +9

Ty for your support!

@BOMBAY9997042

we need these as well

As far as I know, I am aware someone is working on Seamew. Seagull is semi-implemented in the game as it’s only available to use in naval battles, but it still can be suggested as a researchable aircraft.

[dart157]

Looks like a baby A6M Zero! Love me some floatplanes, +1

[굴러온]

we need this both as air tt version and naval shipborne hydroplane on USS Alaska. Current kingfisher on USS Alaska is one of worst hydroplane in naval, and as USS Alaska is one of the first ship got SC-1 in 1944, and carry them since her first duty, it is legit that USS Alaska ingame uses SC-1 instead of Kingfisher

[foxtrot19673]

the version with landing gear looks funny +1

[benbenbentres-psn]

+1

[Nostalgistic]

Well, lads, SC-1 was teased in the dev stream. However, it is not available as a researchable tech tree aircraft, as it’s restricted to the Iowa battleship.

I hope we will get it in the TT soon.

[Pony51]

Post about this in all the social media channels, get attention on it.

[PlayedStatue626-live]

It’s in game, just make it researchable +1