The first Curtiss aircraft to bear the sobriquet Helldiver, this type was derived from the company's F8C Falcon, but was intended as a carrier-based dive bomber rather than a fighter. The XF8C-2 and C-4 prototypes were followed up by twnety-five F8C-4 production machines powered by R-1340-C Wasps and capable of carryling a 500lb bomb on the centerline, or two smaller weapons underwing. The 65 C-5s were redesignated as O2C-1s for observation work, and were joined by thirty new-build models.
The XF8C-7 (1 example) and -8 (two aircraft) were testbeds with Wright Cyclones, these being redesignated as XO2C-2 and O2C-2s, respectively. The XF10C-1 model was further revised, retaining the Cyclone but adding a new tail and revised landing gear.
