Grumman F3F

Last updated
F3F
F3F-1 4-F-7 Jax.jpg
An F3F-1 of VF-4 in the late 1930s
Role Fighter aircraft
National originUnited States
Manufacturer Grumman
Designer Leroy Grumman
First flight20 March 1935
Introduction 1936
RetiredNovember 1943
Primary users United States Navy
United States Marine Corps
Produced1936–1939
Number built147
Developed from Grumman F2F

The Grumman F3F is a biplane fighter aircraft produced by the Grumman aircraft for the United States Navy during the mid-1930s. Designed as an improvement on the F2F, it entered service in 1936 as the last biplane to be delivered to any American military air arm. It was retired from front line squadrons at the end of 1941 before it could serve in World War II, and replaced by the Brewster F2A Buffalo. The F3F, which inherited the Leroy Grumman-designed retractable main landing gear configuration first used on the Grumman FF, served as the basis for a biplane design ultimately developed into the much more successful F4F Wildcat that succeeded the subpar Buffalo.

Contents

Design and development

F3F-3 assigned to Naval Air Station Anacostia F3F NAS Anacostia NAN10-80.jpg
F3F-3 assigned to Naval Air Station Anacostia

The Navy's experience with the F2F revealed issues with stability and unfavorable spin characteristics, [1] prompting the 15 October 1934 contract for the improved XF3F-1, placed before F2F deliveries began. The contract also required a capability for ground attack, in addition to the design's fighter role. [2] Powered by the same Pratt & Whitney R-1535-72 Twin Wasp Junior engine as the F2F, the fuselage was lengthened and wing area increased over the earlier design. A reduction in wheel diameter allowed greater fuselage streamlining, eliminating the prominent bulge behind the cowling of the F2F.

The prototype, BuNo. 9727, was delivered and first flown on 20 March 1935 with company test pilot Jimmy Collins making three flights that day. Two days later, six dive-recovery flights took place; on the 10th dive, the aircraft's pullout at 8,000 ft (2,400 m) registered 14 g on the test equipment. The aircraft broke up in midair, crashing in a cemetery and killing Collins. [2] A second, strengthened prototype was built, but it crashed on 9 May of the same year following the pilot's bailout during an unsuccessful spin recovery. [3] The second prototype was rebuilt in three weeks, flying on 20 June 1935. An order for 54 F3F-1 fighters was placed on 24 August of that year, following the conclusion of the flight test program. [4]

Operational history

The better known F4F Wildcat of World War II was a monoplane development of an improved F3F biplane design. This XF4F-3 prototype clearly shows the family lines. Grumman XF4F-3 prototype in flight in 1939.jpg
The better known F4F Wildcat of World War II was a monoplane development of an improved F3F biplane design. This XF4F-3 prototype clearly shows the family lines.

The first production F3F-1 (BuNo 0211) was delivered on 29 January 1936 to the test group at Naval Air Station Anacostia, with squadron service beginning in March to VF-5B of Ranger and VF-6B of Saratoga. Marine squadron VF-4M received the last six in January 1937. [5]

Grumman, wanting to take advantage of the powerful new 950 hp (708 kW) Wright R-1820 supercharged radial engine, began work on the F3F-2 without a contract; the order for 81 aircraft was not placed until 25 July 1936, two days before the type's first flight. [1] The engine's larger diameter changed the cowling's appearance, making the aircraft look even more like a barrel, though top speed increased to 255 mph (410 km/h) at 12,000 ft (3,700 m). [2]

The entire F3F-2 production series was delivered in between 1937 and 1938; when deliveries ended, all seven Navy and Marine Corps pursuit squadrons were equipped with Grumman single-seat fighters. Further aerodynamic improvements were made to an F3F-2 (BuNo 1031) based on wind tunnel studies in the NACA Langley 30' x 60' full-scale wind tunnel and became the XF3F-3. It featured a larger-diameter propeller, and a complete revision of the fuselage skinning forward of the aft cabane strut in order to improve aerodynamics and reduce carbon monoxide intrusion. On 21 June 1938, the Navy ordered 27 F3F-3s, as new monoplane fighters like the Brewster F2A and Grumman's own F4F Wildcat were taking longer to develop than had been planned. [6]

With the introduction of the Brewster F2A-1, the Navy's biplane fighter days were numbered. All F3Fs were withdrawn from squadron service by the end of 1941, though 117 were assigned to naval bases (Mainly NAS Miami and NAS Corpus Christi) and used for training and utility duties until December 1943. [1]

The G-32 and G-32A two-place aircraft were used by the U.S. Army Air Force as ferry-pilot trainers, under the designation UC-103/UC-103A.

A civilian aerobatic two-seat variant, the G-22A "Gulfhawk II," was constructed in 1936 and flown by Major Alfred "Al" Williams, head of Gulf Oil's aviation department. [7]

Variants

Data from: Aerofiles - Grumman [8]

G-11
Company designation for F3F-1 carrier-borne fighters
XF3F-1
Three prototypes of the F3F (all with the same Bureau Number, 9727), powered by single 700 hp (520 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1535-84 Twin Wasp Juniors
F3F-1
Initial production version for the US Navy, 54 built. BuNos 0211 through 0264.
G-19
Company designation for the F3F-2 and F3F-3
XF3F-2
A single prototype (BuNo 0452), powered by a single 850 hp (630 kW) Wright XR-1820-22 Cyclone G
F3F-2
Second production model for the US Navy, powered by a single 950 hp (710 kW) Wright R-1820-22 Cyclone, 81 built. BuNos 0967 through 1047.
XF3F-3
A single prototype (BuNo 1031) of the F3F-3 with curved windshield, a modified forward fuselage with a widened diameter and cowling with a single cowl flap on either side
F3F-3
Final production variant for the US Navy, 27 built. Featured a redesigned forward fuselage forward of the aft cabane struts. BuNos 1444 through 1470.
G-22 Gulfhawk II
G-22 Gulfhawk II at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum Grumman Gulfhawk II NASM.jpg
G-22 Gulfhawk II at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum
A single hybrid F2F/F3F, powered by a 1,000 hp (750 kW) Wright R-1820 Cyclone, for display pilot Al Williams, sponsored by the Gulf Oil Company for demonstration flights and aerobatic displays. The G-22 Gulfhawk II was retired to the National Air Museum in October 1948.
G-32 Gulfhawk III / G-32A
A two-seat civilian variant of the F3F series, powered by a 1,000 hp (750 kW) Wright R-1820 Cyclone. Two aircraft were built, one (G-32, NC1051) for noted Gulf Oil pilot Alford Williams as the "Gulfhawk III", and the second (G-32A, NC1326) retained by Grumman as a fast executive transport-chase aircraft. Both of these aircraft incorporated landing flaps into the lower surface of the upper wing, the only variant of the series to be so fitted.
UC-103
Both G-32 aircraft were impressed into the USAAF in 1942; Williams's G-32 Gulfhawk III was destroyed in a crash in Florida and the G-32A survived until 1971 when it crashed after being abandoned due to an inflight fire

Operators

Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States

Surviving aircraft

Grumman F3F-2 at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida (2007) Grumman F3F-2 Flying Barrel, Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida (2).jpg
Grumman F3F-2 at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida (2007)

Today, there are four flying aircraft, three F3F-2 models and the Grumman demonstrator G-32A, all which were restored by Herb Tischler's Texas Airplane Factory in Fort Worth. The restorations took four years and consisted of rebuilding the G-32A from original blueprints with tooling built at the Texas Airplane Factory. The wreckage of three -2 aircraft which had originally crashed in Hawaii were utilized to complete the other restorations. [9]

Specifications (F3F-2)

Three-side drawing of an F3F-1 Grumman F3F drawing NAN9-77.jpg
Three-side drawing of an F3F-1

Data from Great Aircraft of the World [2]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grumman F-14 Tomcat</span> Carrier-based air superiority fighter aircraft family

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American carrier-capable supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, twin-tail, all-weather-capable variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after the collapse of the General Dynamics-Grumman F-111B project. A large and well-equipped fighter, the F-14 was the first of the American Teen Series fighters, which were designed incorporating air combat experience against MiG fighters during the Vietnam War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McDonnell FH Phantom</span> Early US twinjet fighter aircraft

The McDonnell FH Phantom is a twinjet fighter aircraft designed and first flown during World War II for the United States Navy. The Phantom was the first purely jet-powered aircraft to land on an American aircraft carrier and the first jet deployed by the United States Marine Corps. Although only 62 FH-1s were built it helped prove the viability of carrier-based jet fighters. As McDonnell's first successful fighter, it led to the development of the follow-on F2H Banshee, which was one of the two most important naval jet fighters of the Korean War; combined, the two established McDonnell as an important supplier of navy aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brewster F2A Buffalo</span> WWII American fighter plane

The Brewster F2A Buffalo is an American fighter aircraft which saw service early in World War II. Designed and built by the Brewster Aeronautical Corporation, it was one of the first U.S. monoplanes with an arrestor hook and other modifications for aircraft carriers. The Buffalo won a competition against the Grumman F4F Wildcat in 1939 to become the U.S. Navy's first monoplane fighter aircraft. Although superior to the Grumman F3F biplane it replaced, and the early F4Fs, the Buffalo was largely obsolete when the United States entered the war, being unstable and overweight, especially when compared to the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McDonnell F2H Banshee</span> American carrier-based jet fighter

The McDonnell F2H Banshee is a single-seat carrier-based jet fighter aircraft designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer McDonnell Aircraft. It was an early jet fighter operated by United States Navy and United States Marine Corps, as well as being the only jet-powered fighter to ever be deployed by the Royal Canadian Navy. The aircraft's name is derived from the banshee of Irish mythology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grumman F4F Wildcat</span> United States Navy World War II era fighter plane

The Grumman F4F Wildcat is an American carrier-based fighter aircraft that entered service in 1940 with the United States Navy, and the British Royal Navy where it was initially known as the Martlet. First used by the British in the North Atlantic, the Wildcat was the only effective fighter available to the United States Navy and Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater during the early part of the Second World War. The disappointing Brewster Buffalo was withdrawn in favor of the Wildcat and replaced as aircraft became available.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grumman C-1 Trader</span> United States Navy carrier on-board delivery (COD) transport aircraft

The Grumman C-1 Trader is a carrier onboard delivery (COD) variant of the Grumman S-2 Tracker. It was replaced by a similar version of the Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye, the Grumman C-2 Greyhound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grumman F6F Hellcat</span> United States Navy fighter airplane

The Grumman F6F Hellcat is an American carrier-based fighter aircraft of World War II. Designed to replace the earlier F4F Wildcat and to counter the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero, it was the United States Navy's dominant fighter in the second half of the Pacific War. In gaining that role, it prevailed over its faster competitor, the Vought F4U Corsair, which initially had problems with visibility and carrier landings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grumman F7F Tigercat</span> 1943 fighter aircraft family by Grumman; first twin-engine fighter deployed by the US Navy

The Grumman F7F Tigercat is a heavy fighter aircraft that served with the United States Navy (USN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) from late in World War II until 1954. It was the first twin-engine fighter to be deployed by the USN. While the Tigercat was delivered too late to see combat in World War II, it saw action as a night fighter and attack aircraft during the Korean War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grumman F8F Bearcat</span> American single-engine carrier-based fighter aircraft

The Grumman F8F Bearcat is an American single-engined, carrier-based, fighter aircraft introduced in late World War II. It served during the mid-20th century in the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the air forces of other nations. It was Grumman Aircraft's last piston-engined fighter aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grumman F-9 Cougar</span> US Navy carrier-based fighter aircraft in service 1952-1974

The Grumman F9F/F-9 Cougar is a carrier-based jet-powered fighter aircraft designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Grumman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackburn Skua</span> British WWII aircraft

The Blackburn B-24 Skua was a carrier-based low-wing, two-seater, single-radial engine aircraft by the British aviation company Blackburn Aircraft. It was the first Royal Navy carrier-borne all-metal cantilever monoplane aircraft, as well as the first dive bomber in Fleet Air Arm (FAA) service. The aircraft took its name from the sea bird which 'divebombs' any potential predators that come too close to its nest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan FR Fireball</span> American World War II-era jet and piston-engined fighter aircraft

The Ryan FR Fireball was an American mixed-power fighter aircraft designed by Ryan Aeronautical for the United States Navy during World War II. It was the Navy's first aircraft with a jet engine. Only 66 aircraft were built before Japan surrendered in August 1945. The FR-1 Fireball equipped a single squadron before the war's end, but did not see combat. The aircraft ultimately proved to lack the structural strength required for operations aboard aircraft carriers and was withdrawn in mid-1947.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grumman JF Duck</span> Type of aircraft

The Grumman JF "Duck" was an American single-engine amphibious biplane built by Grumman for the United States Navy during the 1930s. The J2F Duck was an improved version of the JF, with its main difference being a longer float.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grumman F2F</span> US Navy biplane

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grumman XF5F Skyrocket</span> Type of aircraft

The Grumman XF5F Skyrocket was a prototype twin-engined shipboard fighter interceptor. The United States Navy ordered one prototype, model number G-34, from Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation on 30 June 1938; its designation was XF5F-1. The aircraft had a unique appearance: The forward "nose" of the fuselage did not extend forward of the wing. Provisions were included for two 20 mm (0.787 in) Madsen cannon as armament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grumman FF</span> US Navy biplane

The Grumman FF "Fifi" was an American biplane fighter aircraft operated by the United States Navy during the 1930s. It was the first carrier aircraft with retractable landing gear. It was produced under licence in Canada and known as the Goblin in Canadian service and Delfín in Spanish service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grumman J2F Duck</span> American single-engine amphibious biplane

The Grumman J2F Duck is an American single-engine amphibious biplane. It was used by each major branch of the U.S. armed forces from the mid-1930s until just after World War II, primarily for utility and air-sea rescue duties. It was also used by the Argentine Navy, who took delivery of their first example in 1937. After the war, J2F Ducks saw service with independent civilian operators, as well as the armed forces of Colombia and Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtiss F11C Goshawk</span> Type of aircraft

The Curtiss F11C Goshawk is an American naval biplane fighter aircraft that saw limited success. It was part of a long line of Curtiss Hawk airplanes built by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company for the American military.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian Car and Foundry FDB-1</span> Canadian biplane fighter-bomber prototype

The Gregor FDB-1 was a Canadian biplane fighter, designed in 1938 by Michael Gregor and manufactured by Canadian Car and Foundry. Despite having some advanced design features such as flush rivetted all-metal construction and a retractable undercarriage, the final generation of biplane fighters was being supplanted by monoplanes and the Gregor FDB-1 was obsolete before it flew. Despite the Royal Canadian Air Force's desperation for modern fighters, the sole example remained unsold and was eventually lost in a fire in 1945. The Gregor FDB-1's model designation stood for Fighter Dive Bomber indicating its intended roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grumman XSBF</span> 1936 US scout bomber prototype biplane

The Grumman XSBF, also known by the company designation G-14, was an American biplane scout bomber developed by Grumman Aircraft for the United States Navy during the 1930s. Derived from Grumman's successful "Fifi" fighter, the aircraft was developed at a time when the biplane was giving way to the monoplane. In competition against other aircraft it proved to possess inferior performance in its intended role, and did not enter production. The sole prototype went on to serve as a liaison aircraft, as well as being used in experiments by NACA, before being destroyed in a crash in 1939.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 "Grumman F3F". Air Group 31. 2006-12-27. Retrieved 2013-06-21.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Cacutt 1989, pp. 155–162.
  3. Dann 1996, p. 4.
  4. Jordan, Corey C. "Grumman's Ascendency: Chapter Three". Planes and Pilots Of World War Two. Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2013-06-21.
  5. Dann 1996, p. 27.
  6. Crosby 2002, p. 77.
  7. "Grumman G-22". Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-08-10. Retrieved 2014-08-04.
  8. Eckland, K.O. "Grumman, Grumman-American." aerofiles.com, 11 September 2008. Retrieved: 21 June 2013.
  9. 1 2 Wilkinson, Stephan (2013-01-15). "F3F Biplane Barrels Back". HistoryNet. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  10. "F3F-2". National Naval Aviation Museum. Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. Archived from the original on 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  11. "1938 Grumman F3F-2". Fantasy of Flight. Fantasy of Flight. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  12. "Grumman F3F Flying Barrel". worldwariiaviation.org. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  13. "Grumman G-22 Gulfhawk II". Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Retrieved 2016-08-31.

Bibliography

  • Cacutt, Len (1989). Grumman Single-Seat Biplane Fighters. London: Marshall Cavendish. ISBN   1-85435-250-4.
  • Crosby, Francis (2002). Fighter Aircraft. London: Lorenz Books. ISBN   0-7548-0990-0.
  • Dann, Richard S. (USN, LCDR) (1996). Grumman Biplane Fighters in action. Aircraft In Action 150. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications. ISBN   0-89747-353-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Orriss, Bruce (1984). When Hollywood Ruled the Skies: The Aviation Film Classics of World War II. Hawthorne, California: Aero Associates Inc. ISBN   0-9613088-0-X.