Smer 1/72 Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk

SMER 1:72 CURTISS SC-1 SEAHAWK

Reviewer: Richard Stracey (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted: 17 July 2004 (#112)

Kit Details:

SMER #0866 1/72 -- (CURTISS MODEL 97) CURTISS SC-1 SEAHAWK

Aircraft History:

The SC-1 entered service with the US Navy in 1944 replacing the Curtiss Seamew and Vought Kingfisher and first saw action off Borneo in July 1945. Further orders were cancelled on VJ day, the Seahawk being the last of a long line of catapult mounted floatplanes to serve on USN ships. Originally there was provision in the main float for a bomb bay containing two 45kg. bombs but due to problems, the area was later used as a fuel tank. The SC-1 had provision for a passenger behind the pilot in case of rescue or cod type operations. It was powered by a Wright R1820-62 radial engine, was armed with two 0.5” machine guns, two underwing bomb racks and the right hand one could also be used to hold an anti shipping radar container. The span was 41’ and length 36’41/2”.

The Kit:

This SMER kit was originally issued by Antares in 1995 and consists of fifty five parts in crisp grey plastic including two bombs and a radar container as well as alternative wheeled or float undercarriage that includes beaching gear. Decals (by Propagteam?) are supplied for three aircraft. The box is eye catching with a full colour three view on the reverse. The instructions are quite adequate, the painting instructions giving Humbrol references.

Construction:

The interior is rather basic but due to the heavy canopy framing not much can be seen inside so I simply added seatbelts. The seat needs trimming as it sits too high and obstructs the canopy that itself needs a bit of trimming to fit. Although this is a nice simple model with restrained surface detail care must be taken as the fuselage halves have no retaining lugs and the halves were slightly warped, as was one wing. Although SMER show two versions with floats and one on wheels any of them could be modelled on wheels or floats as they were all supplied with wheels at the factory in Columbus Ohio before being delivered to the Navy where the Edo floats, that had been purchased separately, were fitted as required. As with the Kingfisher and others, being designed to be on floats, I think that they look odd on wheels so I used the floats. I drilled out the exhausts and added the ariel wires to complete the model. I have seen a vac form canopy for it but am not sure that it is still available and know nothing about another Seahawk kit in 1/72 by Xotic-72.

Colour Schemes/Decals:

Two options from 1944 and 1945 are in the standard wartime scheme of Sea Blue fading to Intermediate Blue with mainly White undersides. The third one, from 1947, is in all over Glossy Sea Blue with only the bottom of the floats in White. SMER suggests Humbrol 15 Midnight Blue for Glossy Sea Blue and since Humbrol have dropped 181, I suppose that 15 is the closest in the range but I prefer Testors 1717 (FS15042). For the other two Testors 1718 (FS35042) Sea Blue and 1720 (FS35164) Intermediate Blue would also do. The decals are first rate but take care in applying them.

Conclusion:

The Antares kit was reviewed in Scale Aircraft Modelling of April ’96 and some information can be found in the Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Aircraft V6 p.1278. I don’t know who Antares were or what happened to them but am glad that SMER have “rescued”this kit. The result is a nice model of a good looking but little known aircraft.

RHS/112

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