Grumman F3F-2 by Academy
1/48 scale
Kit No. 12326
Cost: $28.00
Decals: Five versions
Comments: Engraved panel lines and raised rivet detail; detailed cockpit; includes photo-etched parts; detailed radial engine, faithfully recreated fold-out landing gear; Last bi-plane fighter of the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy
History
The highly maneuverable Grumman F3F served as the Navy and Marine Corps’ premier fighter of the late 1930’s, and was the last bi-plane fighter introduced into service by either branch. While it has this distinction, it was not the last Navy bi-plane fighter to see action in World War II. That honor goes to the original Curtiss SBC Helldiver, which served in Samoa with a Marine aviation unit up to 1943. But this rugged, stubby-looking product of Grumman Aircraft served from 1936 to 1941. When the Navy transitioned to monoplanes in the mid-1930s, the highly maneuverable F3F-2s and -3s became the last carrier-based biplanes. More maneuverable than monoplanes, these biplanes were prized as “dog fighters,” but drag prevented them from attaining the high speeds needed for modern warfare.
The XF3F-1 was introduced in 1935 as a follow-on to the F2F-1. Powered by the R-1535-84 Twin Wasp engine and with a longer fuselage and greater wingspan, the XF3F-1 offered improved aerodynamics, especially related to spin recovery, and a larger cockpit. Later, to further improve spin recovery, a ventral strake was fitted. By August 1936, 54 of the new F3F-1s had been delivered, going to Fighting Squadron (VF) 5B aboard USS Ranger (CV-4) and VF-6B in USS Saratoga (CV-3). The two squadrons, eventually renamed VF-4 and VF-3 respectively, retained their F3F-1s until 1940.
In July 1936, the first XF3F-2 prototype was ordered by the Navy, and tested in 1937. A major change was the installation of the 950 horsepower Wright R-1820-22 engine, improving performance and changing the contours of the engine cowling. In March 1937, the Navy ordered 81 F3F-2s, assigning them to VF-6 aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) and Marine squadrons VMF-1 and VMF-2 in 1938. Finally, the Navy purchased 27 F3F-3s, fitted with uprated Cyclone engines. They were assigned to VF-5 aboard USS Yorktown (CV-5) but remained in front line service for only a year. Unfortunately, the F3F never received a name like many of its pre-war and WWII contemporaries, but the civilian version was called the Gulfhawk.
The Kit
Academy’s Grumman F3F-2 is injection molded in grey plastic and consists of 64 parts, including four clear parts for the canopy and the main instrument panel. In addition, a set of paint masks for the canopy is provided, along with a photo etch fret with additional details for the pilot’s seat straps, engine and rigging details. The cockpit is well detailed with a bucket seat (including PE seat straps), featuring separate parts for the control yoke and rudder pedals, side wall instrumentation, main instrument panel and rear bulkhead. An engine firewall is also included. All cockpit components feature crisp detail.
The airframe is well engineered with engraved panel lines and raised rivet detail, and wings bear well-defined ribbed detail and wingtip lights, along with distinctly engraved control surfaces for the upper wings. A separate part is provided for the two main machine guns which must fit through apertures in a part for the forward fuselage upper decking, and the radial engine is crisply molded with a separate exhaust manifold and a PE detail part. The engine cowling is divided into two halves and may require some skill at seam-hiding.
One item of particular note about the fuselage halves is that the cabane struts connecting it to the upper wing are integrally molded, which should expedite that phase of assembly, and make the attachment of the outer struts on port and starboard wings that much easier. The main landing gear are nicely detailed and look quite accurate at a glance. In the tail section, support struts are provided for the elevators, and the rudder is separately mounted. What modelers may appreciate most is the PE parts provided for the rigging and cross-bracing of the upper and lower wings, as they are thin enough to appear to scale, will expedite the rigging process, easing a time-consuming process toward the end of most bi-plane builds, and will provide a professional look for the finished kit. Finally, under wing brackets and 250 lb. bombs are provided.
Markings
A bare minimum of decals are provided for at least five versions of the F3F-2, four that were deployed with active duty fleet squadrons aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise and U.S.S. Wasp, respectively, during 1939, and one that was pressed into service as a fighter-trainer circa 1942. “Bare minimum” refers to the fact that during the “Yellow Wing” era, Navy fighters often sported colorful flashes on their fuselages and wings, yet those markings are not provided. So modelers, be prepared to do some masking and break out the airbrush if you want an accurate-looking Navy fighter from this time period!
VF-6 “Fighting Six”
There are markings for two aircraft of “Fighting Six,” VF-6 deployed aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise circa 1939. The squadron logo of a red shooting star across a blue circle emblazoned with white stars is a marking seen on both sides of the fuselage beneath the canopy. Both appear in overall grey with Cobalt Blue tail surfaces and Golden Yellow upper wing surfaces. The key difference between them is the color of the cowling, fuselage, and upper wing flashes (red for one aircraft, green for the other) and the number and letter codes on the respective fuselages (“6-F-1” vs. “6-F-13”). All flashes will have to be painted by the modeler, as markings are not provided for the respective colors. The national marking on the fuselage is well forward on the nose, just aft of the engine cowling.
VF-7 “The Blue Burglars”
There are markings for two aircraft of VF-7, deployed aboard the U.S.S. Wasp circa 1939. The squadron logo of a blue cricket with a white sailor’s cap and boxing gloves against the background of a red circle is a marking seen on both sides of the fuselage beneath the canopy. Both appear in overall grey with Black tail surfaces and Golden Yellow upper wing surfaces. The key difference between them is the color of the cowling, fuselage, and upper wing flashes (red for one aircraft, blue for the other) and the number and letter codes on the respective fuselages (“7-F-1” vs. “7-F-7”). All flashes will have to be painted by the modeler, as markings are not provided for the respective colors. The national marking on the fuselage is well forward on the nose, just aft of the engine cowling.
The final version for which markings are provided is clearly for a version of the F3F-2 in use after the outbreak of World War II, based on its paint scheme. It is for a fighter-trainer based at the “U.S. Navy Institute” circa 1942 and appears in a scheme of Intermediate Blue over Neutral Grey and is much less colorful than the other two versions. A major change is the position of the national insignia on the fuselage, which has been moved aft to a more visible position just af of the cockpit. The other difference is that this wartime version does not bear the standard yellow flashes on its propeller tips for some reason, although all five versions bear the Hamilton Standard “bug” on the forward-facing sides of all propeller blades.
Two F3F-2 aircraft of “Fighting Six” flying in formation. Image Credit: pcaviator.com
Conclusion
This is a beautiful and well-engineered kit of the last bi-plane fighter of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. With the exception of having to paint your own flashes on the airframe, Academy appears to have gone out of its way to design the kit so as to address the trepidations faced by many modelers who contemplate a bi-plane build. Highly recommended.
References
- National Naval Aviation Museum ~ www.nationalnavalaviationmuseum.org
- https://naval-encyclopedia.com/naval-aviation/ww2