Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series (Propeller Powered)
HA7303 - Grumman F3F-2, formerly 2-M-16,
now with Training Command 1942
special wire rigging
LIMITED EDITION only 1,000 pieces worldwide
1/48 scale pre-finished
Die-cast metal with a minimum of
plastic.
Professionally painted.
All markings pad applied for
superb results.
Cockpit slides open.
Moveable rudder
Comes with a pilot that can be
removed.
Comes with display stand.
Can be displayed with landing
gear up or down.
THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES TAKEN EARLY
IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE OF THE MODEL AND
ARE INTENDED SOLELY TO PROVIDE A GENERAL IDEA
OF WHAT THE FINISHED MODEL WILL LOOK LIKE.
By the mid 1930s the USN realized that the modern fighter would have to be a mono-wing
but development hadn’t even begun. As a stop-gap measure they ordered the Grumman
F3F-2 that was a much improved version of the F2F and could be in production in a
relatively short time. The new aircraft had a larger engine that increased speed by 33 mph
and the rate of climb from 205 to 2750 ft/min. Along with a larger engine came a larger
three-bladed constant-pitch propeller and a larger rudder to compensate the first two
improvements. The improvements also meant the service ceiling was increased from
27,200 ft to 33,200 ft.


A long relationship between the USN and Grumman Aircraft began in 1931 with the
production of the Grumman FF-1 and 1933 continued with the F3F. The USN received the
first F3F-2 on December 1, 1937 and the last of the sixty-four F3F-2 aircraft on May 11,
1938. The last F3F flew in front-line service at the end of 1941 when it was replaced by
the Brewster Buffalo and the F4F Hellcat. The USN took 117 F3F-2s and F3F-3s and sent
them to various bases around the USA for training and transport duties. The last F3F-2
was retired from military service in November 1943.



Specifications Grumman F3F-2  AKA “Flying Barrel”

Crew: 1 pilot

Dimensions
Length: 23 ft 2 in (7.06 m)
Wingspan: 32 ft 0 in (9.75 m)
Height: 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)
Wing area: 260 ft² (24.15 m²)

Weights
Empty: 3,285 lb (1,490 kg)
Max takeoff: 4,795 lb (2,175 kg)

Performance
Powerplant: 1× Wright R-1820-22 "Cyclone" 9-cylinder radial engine, 950 hp (710 kW),  8
ft 6 in. 3 blade Hamilton-Standard propeller
Maximum speed: 229 knots, 264 mph (425 km/h) at 15,250 ft (4,658 m)
Cruise speed: 150 mph (130 knots, 240 km/h) Range: 980 mi (850 nm, 1,600 km)
Service ceiling: 33,200 ft (10,120 m)
Rate of climb: 2,800 ft/min (14 m/s) at sea level

Armament
Guns:
1 × 0.30 in (7.62 mm) M2 machine gun, 500 rounds
1 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 machine gun, 200 rounds
Bombs:
2 × 116 lb (52.6 kg) Mk IV bombs, one under each wing