Brewster Buffalo

It originated with a Navy request of 1936 for a new generation of aircraft carrier-based fighters. The requirements included a monoplane configuration, wing flaps, arresting gear, retractable landing gear[?] and an enclosed cockpit. The Brewster Aeronautical Corporation made a proposal, along with Grumman for the F4F Wildcat[?], and Seversky[?].

Brewster's XF2A-1 prototype first flew in December 1937. Service testing of the prototype began a month later, and in June the Navy ordered 54 of the F2A-1 production model. Of the first deliveries, beginning in June 1939, nine went to Squadron VF-3[?] on the Saratoga (CV-3). The balance of 44 were declared surplus and supplied to Finland, where they were successfully employed into 1944.

An improved version F2A-2, of which 43 were ordered, included a more powerful engine, a better propellor, and integral flotation gear, and was followed by the F2A-3.

Although it was becoming clear that the F2A was already becoming inadequate against the latest German and Japanese fighters, Great Britain, Belgium, and the Netherlands purchased several hundred of land-based versions. The RAF, liking alliterative names and no doubt being struck by the stocky appearance, dubbed it the Brewster Buffalo. However, the Buffalo was clearly not going to survive against Messerschmitts, so they were sent to the Far East, equipping RAF, RAAF, and RNZAF squadrons in Singapore and Malaya, where they proved equally incapable of surviving against the Japanese Zero

Some F2As of the US Marine Corps saw action in the Battle of Midway.

Variants

• F2A-1: 54 ordered, 53 built, 44 to Finland
• F2A-2: 43 built
• F2A-3: 108 built, more armor, bulletproof windshield
• B-339: 40 to Belgium
• B-339D: Netherlands
• B-339E: 170 to Great Britain
• B-439: Netherlands

External links

• Navy photos of Brewster F2A in flight (http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/ac-usn22/f-types/f2a.htm)
• Navy photos of Brewster F2A on the ground (http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/ac-usn22/f-types/f2a-g.htm)
• J. Baugher's Brewster F2A article (http://home.att.net/~jbaugher1/f2a)