Model Airplane News
March, 1936
Grumman F2f-1
Model Airplane News Cover Art for March, 1936
by Jo Kotula
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The Grumman F2F was a single-engine, biplane fighter aircraft with retractable undercarriage, serving as the standard fighter for the United States Navy between 1936 and 1940. It was designed for both carrier- and land-based operations.
Grumman F2f-1
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P>Grumman's success with the two-seat FF-1, which was significantly faster than the single-seat fighters of its time, resulted in a contract for the single-seat XF2F-1. Armed with two .30 caliber machine guns above the cowl, the new design also incorporated watertight compartments to reduce weight and improve survivability in the event of a water landing. The prototype first flew in October of 1933, equipped with the experimental 625 hp Twin Wasp Junior radial engine, and reached a top speed of 229 mph at 8,400 ft (2,600 m) - 22 mph faster than the FF-1 at the same altitude. Maneuverability also proved superior to the earlier two-seat aircraft. The Navy ordered 54 F2F-1 fighters on 17 May 1934, with the first aircraft delivered in 1935. The F2F-1 had a relatively long service life for the time, serving in front-line squadrons from 1935 to late 1939, when squadrons began to receive the F3F-3 as a replacement.] By September 1940, the F2F had been completely replaced in fighter squadrons and was relegated to training and utility duties.
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