Grumman F3F-2 Lt. Robert Galer, VMF-2, 1940 (1:48)

Production of the Grumman F3F-2 began in 1937. To overcome the F2F tendency for poor directional stability and spinning the new aircraft fuselage was stretched 22 inches and the wing area was expanded by 30 sq. ft.. The F3F-2 also received a larger engine; a three bladed eight foot six inch propeller and a rudder with increased surface area to counter-act the greater engine torque. The USN ordered 81 F3F-2s but the 65th aircraft on were updated to the F3F-3. The last F3F was retired in 1943.
This F3F-2 was flown by future Ace 1st Lt. Robert Galer of VMF-2 in November 1940. While qualifying for carrier-landings his engine failed and he had to make an unscheduled water landing. In the early 1980s the aircraft was located in good condition so it was raised and restored. Galer'_s aircraft is the only original F3F-2 left and is on display in the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola Florida. There are three other F3F-2s in existence but they were completely reconstructed using parts from wrecked aircraft.