- Yes
- No
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.
- A successor to the SC-1 fast scout floatplane
- Powered by a 1,450-hp Wright R-1820-76 Cyclone non-turbocharged radial engine
- Armed with 2 x 0.50 caliber machine guns and capable of carrying 2 x 250-lb general purpose bombs and 4 x rockets
- Can be modified to fly with either fixed convertible landing gear or floats
The SC-2 variant of the Curtiss SC Seahawk was developed as an improved successor to the SC-1, aiming to enhance overall performance. By the time the SC-2 was designed, the US Navy had already adopted the SC-1 as a more advanced scout and observation floatplane to maintain an edge in the Pacific Theater. The SC-2 was intended to offer better speed, range, and armament capabilities. However, its development coincided with the approaching end of World War II, which significantly reduced the need for such aircraft and led to limited production and service.
The SC-2 Seahawk retained the basic design of the SC-1 but incorporated several upgrades. It was powered by the newer Wright R-1820-76 Cyclone radial engine, now fitted with a newer circular cowling. This engine produced 1,425 hp and was more fuel-efficient, though it was non-turbocharged, which weakened its performance at higher altitudes. The SC-2 featured a newer clear-blown canopy instead of the framed canopy of the SC-1, along with strakes extending from the fuselage to the horizontal stabilizer and an anti-spin extension on the lower rear fuselage. These changes resulted in improved flight performance, including a slightly higher top speed and better range.
The SC-2 was armed with two 0.50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine guns and could carry up to 650 pounds (295 kg) of ordnance, including bombs or depth charges. It also received new wing racks for four rockets. Like the SC-1, it was equipped with a single central float and two stabilizing outrigger floats, along with folding wings for shipboard storage. The SC-2 retained the AN/APS-4 radar pod provision and the bunk in the aft fuselage for rescue or personnel transfer missions. Additional changes included a rudder with a higher aspect ratio, horn-balanced elevators, an antenna relocated to the rear of the canopy, and provisions for a camera.
One SC-1 (BuNo 35302) was re-engined with a Wright R-1820-76, resdesignated XSC-1A and becoming the prototype for the SC-2. Following the testing, 250 SC-2s were ordered, but the SC-2 variant entered production too late to see significant action in World War II. Only 10 SC-2 units were completed before the war ended, and the remaining orders were canceled due to the reduced demand for floatplanes in the post-war era. The 10th SC-2 had a jump seat installed behind the pilot and was designated as a scout-rescue aircraft. All SC-2s later received Sea Blue camouflage and Twin Insignia Red lengthwise bars in accordance with US Navy postwar regulations. The SC-2’s service history was brief and quiet, as the US Navy began transitioning to more advanced aircraft, such as helicopters and drones, which offered greater versatility and operational efficiency. By 1949, the SC Seahawk series, including the SC-2, was fully retired from service.
Specifications
Curtiss SC-2 SeahawkGeneral Characteristics w/ floats
- Crew: 1 (Pilot)
- Length: 36 ft 5 in (11.01 m)
- Height: 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m)
- Span: 41 ft (12.5 m)
- Wing Area: 282 sq ft (26.2 sq m)
- Propeller Type: 4-bladed constant-speed propeller
- Propeller Diameter: 10 ft 2 in (3.01 m)
- Powerplant: R-1820-76 air-cooled radial piston engine
→ 1,425 hp (1,048 kW)- Internal Fuel: 316 US gal. (1,196 L)
- Oil Tankage: 13 US gal. (49.2 L)
- Empty Weight: 6,451 lb (2,926 kg)
- Design Weight: 7,352 lb (3,335 kg)
- Max. Takeoff Weight: 9,200 lb (4,173 kg)
Engine Ratings
- Takeoff
→ 1,425 hp @ 2,700 rpm @ S.L.- Military
→ 1,425 bhp @ 2,700 rpm @ 1,000 ft
→ 1,100 bhp @ 2,600 rpm @ 11,600 ft- Normal
→ 1,275 bhp @ 2,500 rpm @ 3,000 ft
→ 975 bhp @ 2,500 rpm @ 14,700 ftPerformance w/ floats
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.19 hp/lb (0.31 kW/kg)
- Sea level Speed: 243 mph (391 km/h)
- Critical Altitude Speed: 261 mph @ 17,400 ft (420 km/h @ 5,303 m)
- Stall Speed: 66.9 mph (107.7 km/h)
- Wing Loading: 26.07 lb/sq ft (127.3 kg/sq m)
- Takeoff Time: 16 seconds
- Rate of Climb: 2,880 fpm (14.63 m/s)
- Time to Altitude:
- 4.8 minutes to 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
- 9.6 minutes to 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
- Service Ceiling: 27,500 ft (8,382 m)
- Combat Radius: 334 miles (537 km)
- Combat Range: 840 miles (1,352 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
- Rockets:
- 4 x 5-in (127-mm) HVAR rockets
Currently, US Aviation in War Thunder lacks a modern fighter floatplane, while Japan only has two such aircraft. The SC-2 Seahawk, with its enhanced capabilities and faster speed compared to the SC-1, would be an ideal addition to fill this gap. Despite being primarily a scout, the SC-2 had excellent strike capabilities and far superior flight performance compared to the OS2U Kingfisher. Therefore, I am advocating for its inclusion alongside the SC-1 in the game for US Aviation.
- Standard Aircraft Characteristics SC-2 “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 (1944)
- Curtiss SC Seahawk Scout Floatplane / Air-Sea Rescue Aircraft
- Curtiss SC Seahawk - Wikipedia
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃