HOBBY MASTER 1/48 US NAVY GRUMMAN F3F-1 0236 (HA7308)

Produced in the mid to late 1930s the F3F belonged to what probably was the most colorful era in US military aviation history. Grumman took all the lessons learned from the earlier F2F and incorporated them into the F3F. The Flying Barrel, as it was commonly called, had a wide fuselage to accommodate the large radial engine and a three-bladed Hamilton Standard propeller. The plane had an improved retractable landing gear and a longer fuselage. The last F3F was retired by the USN in November 1943.

In September 1921 Combat Squadron 4 was established and after 4 more re-designations it became VF-6B on July 1, 1930 equipped with Boeing F3B-1 aircraft and later F4B-4’s. By August 1936 54 Grumman F3F-1’s had been delivered to the USN and equipped VF-5B aboard USS Ranger and VF-6B on USS Saratoga with aircraft 0236 belonging to the section leader. With USN reorganization taking place in 1937 VB-6B became VF-3 and continued to fly the F3F-1 until 1940 as they transitioned to the Brewster F2A-1 beginning in 1939.