In 1942 the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics published requirements for a new reconnaissance aircraft for maritime patrol. Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor offered its project XSC-1, which later became SC Seahawk. At the end of August 1942 the company was contracted to build two prototypes and five planes for various tests. February 16, 1944 was first flight of the Curtiss SC Seahawk reconnaissance seaplane
It was a single-seat low-plane with an central fuselage float and possibility to install wheeled landing gear. It was equipped with Wright R-1820-62 Cyclone engine (1350 hp). Maximum speed - 504 km/h, range - 1006 km. Its armament consisted of two ? 12.7-mm machine guns + two ? 147-kg bombs.
The order to build 500 planes was received by Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor before the first prototype flight. The first entered service in October 1944. Totally 577 hydroplanes were produced. Thanks to its versatility (it could be used on aircraft carriers, launched from catapults or taken off from land bases), the SC Seahawk became the best American reconnaissance seaplane in World War II.
