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.
| F2F | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Naval fighter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Grumman |
| Designer | |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Number built | 55 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1934–1935 |
| Introduction date | 1935 |
| First flight | 18 October 1933 [1] |
| Retired | 1940 |
| Variants | Grumman F3F |
Design and development
editGrumman'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]
Operational history
editThe 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
edit- 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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Specifications (Grumman F2F-1)
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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
editRelated development
Related lists
References
editCitations
edit- ^ Graff 2009, p. 18.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Cacutt 1989, pp. 155–162.
Bibliography
edit- 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.
External links
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Media related to Grumman F2F at Wikimedia Commons