Brewster F2A Buffalo

The Brewster F2A Buffalo was a WW2 carrier-borne fighter used by the US Navy. It was the first shipboard monoplane in service with this American armed force, replacing the Grumman F3F biplane. Its prototype, the XF2A-1, made its maiden flight on December 2, 1937, powered by a 950-HP, Wright R-1820-22 engine. It was flown by test pilot Mel Gough. It would finally be introduced into service in April 1939. The Brewster Aeronautical Corporation produced 509 fighter aircraft in the F2A-1, F2A-2, F2A-3, and F2A-4 variants.

The Buffalo first saw combat action in the Battle of Midway in early June 1942. It did not fare well in its baptism of fire at Midway, for 13 Buffaloes of the VMF-221 Squadron were wiped out of the sky in a matter of an hour, along with six F4F Wildcats. It was not because it wasn't a reliable fighter. It did not fare well because it was the Mitsubishi A6M-2 Zero combat aircraft it had to intercept and fight against. The Japanese fighter was more advanced, a lot faster and more maneuverable.

However, it would succeed fighting against Soviet aircraft on the Eastern Front in service with the Finnish Air Force. Effectively, on August 18, 1942, twelve LeLv-24s (Finnish designation for the Brewster F2A) destroyed fifteen Soviet aircraft for the loss of one Buffalo. We have to say the Finns were all combat veteran pilots and their Air Force made a number of modifications to the aircraft, such as installation of armored headrest and seat back and a reflector gun sight. This American combat aircraft would also see combat action in the Far East against Japanese aircraft in service with Royal Air Force as the Buffalo Mark I, II, and III.

Technical Characteristics

The Brewster F2A Buffalo was a compact, single-seat and single-engine monoplane. It was fitted with dihedral mid-wing. The airframe was all-metal and it was covered with flush-rivetted stressed aluminum. The control surfaces, such as ailerons, flaps, and elevators were all fabric-covered. The landing gear was retractable, with wheels folding up inwardly into the lower fuselage.

Specifications (F2A-3)

Type: carrier-based fighter

Length: 8 m (26 feet, 4 inches)

Wingspan: 10.67 m (35 feet)

Wing Area: 19.408 sq. m ( 208.9 sq. feet)

Height: 3.66 m (12 feet)

Powerplant: Wright R-1820-40 Cyclone piston engine, delivering 1,200 HP.

Armament: four 12.7mm (.50-cal.) M2 Browning machine guns.

Below, the second prototype of the Brewster F2A Buffalo in flight.

 

The F2A-1 version in 1939.

The first prototype in December 1937.

Below, the F2A-2 variants in flight in 1941.