Grumman F3F-2 USN 1942 (1:48)

By the mid 1930s the USN realized that the modern fighter would have to be a mono-wing but development hadn'_t even begun. As a stop-gap measure they ordered the Grumman F3F-2 that was a much improved version of the F2F and could be in production in a relatively short time. The new aircraft had a larger engine that increased speed by 33 mph and the rate of climb form 205 to 2750 ft/min. Along with a larger engine came a larger three-bladed constant-pitch propeller and a larger rudder to compensate the first two improvements. The improvements also meant the service ceiling was increased from 27,200 ft to 33,200 ft.

A long relationship between the USN and Grumman Aircraft began in 1931 with the production of the Grumman FF-1 and 1933 continued with the F3F. The USN received the first F3F-2 on December 1, 1937 and the last of the sixty-four F3F-2 aircraft on May 11, 1938. The last F3F flew in front-line service at the end of 1941 when it was replaced by the Brewster Buffalo and the F4F Hellcat. The USN took 117 F3F-2s and F3F-3s and sent them to various bases around the USA for training and transport duties. The last F3F-2 was retired from military service in November 1943.

Specifications Grumman F3F-2 AKA '_Flying Barrel'_

Crew: 1 pilot

Dimensions
Length: 23 ft 2 in (7.06 m)
Wingspan: 32 ft 0 in (9.75 m)
Height: 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)
Wing area: 260 ft (24.15 m )

Weights
Empty: 3,285 lb (1,490 kg)
Max takeoff: 4,795 lb (2,175 kg)

Performance
Powerplant: 1 Wright R-1820-22 "Cyclone" 9-cylinder radial engine, 950 hp (710 kW), 8
ft 6 in. 3 blade Hamilton-Standard propeller
Maximum speed: 229 knots, 264 mph (425 km/h) at 15,250 ft (4,658 m)
Cruise speed: 150 mph (130 knots, 240 km/h) Range: 980 mi (850 nm, 1,600 km)
Service ceiling: 33,200 ft (10,120 m)
Rate of climb: 2,800 ft/min (14 m/s) at sea level

Armament
Guns:
1 0.30 in (7.62 mm) M2 machine gun, 500 rounds
1 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 machine gun, 200 rounds
Bombs:
2 116 lb (52.6 kg) Mk IV bombs, one under each wing