Grumman F3F-3 VF-6, USS Enterprise, August, 1940 (1:48)

In 1938 the USN ordered an improved version of the F3F-2 because the replacement monoplane Brewster F2A and F4F Wildcat were delayed in development. To accomplish this Grumman started to modify the 65th F3F-2 to F3F-3 standards with 26 more aircraft being produced as F3F-3. The modifications were comprised of an upgraded engine with a smaller diameter propeller and a modified cowling as well as small flaps and revised leading edges. The armament wasn�t changed. By the end of 1941 the entire operational biplane fleet was replaced but 117 were sent to various bases for training and transportation. The F3F-3 had two distinctions; it was the last of the USN biplanes as well as being the fastest carrier-borne biplane in the world.

VF-6 Squadron was formed when VF-1B and VF-8B merged on July 1, 1937. VF-6 was one of the first to receive the new Grumman F3F-3. The F3F series was affectionately nicknamed �The Flying Barrel� and was considered very ugly but it didn�t take long for people to see the beauty of the entire package. At the time VF-6 was assigned to the USS Enterprise that painted her aircraft blue for ease of identification. The last F3F-3 was flown by VMF-211 on October 10, 1941. On July 15, 1943 VF-6 (Shooting Stars) swapped designations with VF-3 (Felix the Cat Squadron) and this was the beginning of a 3 year feud. Both squadrons claimed Felix as their mascot until November 1946 when VF-6 was decommissioned.

Specifications for the Grumman F3F-3
Role � ship-board biplane fighter
Crew � (1) pilot

Performance
Engine � (1) Wright R-1820-22 �Cyclone� 9-cylinder radial, 950 hp (710 kW)
Maximum Speed � 264 mph (425 km/h) (229 kts) @ 15,250 ft (4,658 m)
Cruise Speed � 150 mph (240 km/h) (130 kts)
Range � 980 miles (1,600 km) (850 nm)
Service ceiling � 33,200 ft (10,120 m)
Rate of Climb � 2,800 ft/min (14 m/s) @ sea level

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/sq (24.15 m/sq)

Armament
Left - (1) 0.30 in (7.62 mm) M1919 Machine Gun � 500 rounds
Right � (1) 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Machine Gun � 200 rounds
Bombs � (2) 116 lb (52.6 kg) Mk IV � (1) under each wing