F2A Buffalo 21 by Commander Joseph C. Clifton

Designed and built by Brewster Aeronautical Corporation in 1937, the F2A Buffalo aircraft was the U.S. Navy’s first monoplane fighter aircraft and was intended to replace the Grumman F3F.  Introduced in June 1939, the aircraft had already been modified a number of times and held the designation of F2A-3 upon United States’ entry into World War II.   The aircraft was 35 feet in length and approximately 26 feet in height.  For armament, the Buffalos had two fixed forward-firing 0-50-in guns in the upper cowing, along with two 0-50-in guns in the wings.

Operating with U.S. Marine Corps Fighter Squadron 221 (VMF-221) at Midway Island, the Buffalo aircraft helped to defend the island against the Japanese air raid in June 1942 during the Battle of Midway.  The aircraft met with numerous losses in the air rights with the enemy’s Aichi D3A1 “Val” dive bombers and Mitsubishi A6M “Zero” fighter aircraft.   This battle ended the aircraft’s squadron service, and they were relegated to be used as advanced trainers.

F2A Buffalo fighters pictured during a training flight from Naval Air Station (NAS) Miami, Florida, 1941-1942. These items are part of a photo album compiled by Commander Joseph C. Clifton during his service in World War II and are in the online searchable collection of the US Naval Aviation Museum.

In this article we will talk specifically about number 21, Lt.Cdr. Joseph C. Clifton in his F2A Buffalo, August 1942. Modeling the classic variation in colors NS Blue Grey  FS-35189. the next day and at the bottom  NS  Light Gray FS-36440.  As mentioned in my previous article    https://forum.gmodelart.com/s-u-navy-marine-ww2-world-war-ii-early-war-1940-42-second-period/

The specific F2A Buffalo It has some special touches compared to the rest. Buffalo .  The correct approach is to place the variation  like the classic paint lines. It has the peculiarity of having the ends passed on the wings with the  Light Gray FS-36440 . as well as the left rudder. The entire rear right wing and the rudder are in the vertical position. In contrast, the right rudder on the upper surface of the wing is .Mat Sea Blue  FS-15042 The black and white photos they don’t help with the details, so I’ll add that the  Blue Grey more opening in the panels ! Also, the entire engine cover is quite dirty from burnt oil leaks. The truth is, it is a very big plane. It was also the first naval monoplane fighter.

I think it is a very interesting subject for modeling. I hope to help you and give you inspiration.

Brewster F2A Buffalo

https://forum.gmodelart.com/s-u-navy-marine-ww2-world-war-ii-early-war-1940-42-second-period/