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Grumman F2F

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F2F
An F2F-1 of fighter squadron VF-2B, aboard Lexington
General information
TypeNaval fighter
National originUnited States
ManufacturerGrumman
Designer
Primary userUnited States Navy
Number built55
History
Manufactured1934–1935
Introduction date1935
First flight18 October 1933 [1]
Retired1940
VariantsGrumman F3F

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.

Design and development

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Grumman's success with the two-seat FF-1, which was significantly faster than even the single-seat fighters of its time, resulted in a contract for the single-seat XF2F-1.[2] Armed with two 0.30 in (7.62 mm) 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.[3] The prototype first flew on 18 October 1933, equipped with the experimental 625 hp (466 kW) XR-1534-44 Twin Wasp Junior radial engine, and reached a top speed of 229 mph (369 km/h) at 8,400 ft (2,600 m) – 22 mph (35 km/h) faster than the FF-1 at the same altitude.[3] Maneuverability also proved superior to the earlier two-seat aircraft.[2]

Three F2F-1s in service with fighter squadron VF-2B

Operational history

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The Navy ordered 54 F2F-1 fighters on 17 May 1934, with the first aircraft delivered 19 January 1935.[citation needed] One additional aircraft (BuNo 9997) was ordered to replace one which crashed on 16 March 1935, bringing the total to 55, with the final F2F-1 delivered on 2 August 1935.[citation needed] 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. The last F2F-1s were stricken from the list of naval aircraft in early 1943.[3]

Variants

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XF2F-1
United States Navy designation for the Grumman Model G-8 prototype with a 625 hp (466 kW) XR-1534-44 Twin Wasp Junior radial engine, one built
F2F-1
Production variant with a 700 hp (522 kW) R-1535-72 Twin Wasp Junior radial engine, 55 built

Operators

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 United States

Specifications (Grumman F2F-1)

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Three-view drawing of Grumman F2F-1

Data from United States Navy Aircraft since 1911 [4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Length: 21 ft 5 in (6.53 m)
  • Wingspan: 28 ft 6 in (8.69 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 1 in (2.77 m)
  • Wing area: 230 sq ft (21 m2)
  • Empty weight: 2,691 lb (1,221 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,847 lb (1,745 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1535-72 Twin Wasp Junior radial engine, 700 hp (522 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 231 mph (372 km/h, 201 kn)
  • Range: 985 mi (1,585 km, 856 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 27,100 ft (8,260 m)
  • Rate of climb: 2,050 ft/min (10.4 m/s)

Armament

  • Guns: 2 × 0.30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns

See also

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Related development

Related lists

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ Graff 2009, p. 18.
  2. ^ a b Jordan, Corey C. "Grumman's Ascendency: Chapter Two". Planes and Pilots Of World War Two. Archived from the original on 2012-03-25. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
  3. ^ a b c Cacutt 1989, pp. 155–162.
  4. ^ Swanborough and Bowers 1976, p. 201.

Bibliography

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  • Cacutt, Len, ed. “Grumman Single-Seat Biplane Fighters.” Great Aircraft of the World. London: Marshall Cavendish, 1989. ISBN 1-85435-250-4.
  • Dann, Richard LCDR (1993). Grumman Biplane Fighters in Action. Carrollton, TX: Squadron Signal. ISBN 0-89747-353-1.
  • Graff, Cory (2009). F6F Hellcat at War. New York: Zenith Imprint. ISBN 978-0-76033-306-8.
  • Swanborough, Gordon; Bowers, Peter M. (1976). United States Navy Aircraft since 1911 (Second ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-10054-9.
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Media related to Grumman F2F at Wikimedia Commons