Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA7010 F2A-3 Buffalo “2-MF-13” VMF-221 MCAS Ewa, Hawaii, April 1942

Accurate 1/48 scale Professionally painted Pad applied markings Opening canopy Pilot figure Movable rudder Retractable Landing Gear

Brewster & Company started out as a manufacturer of horse-drawn wagons and carriages. In 1920 they moved up to supplying aircraft floats to the Naval Aircraft Factory. The next step was producing things so they designed the SBN-1 low-wing, two- seater, all- metal torpedo/bomber/reconnaissance plane for the USN. The next big break came when their Brewster F2A was chosen over the Grumman F4F. What should have been a great opportunity for the company turned into a night-mare. They sold far more planes than they could produce which meant the US orders weren’t being filled as almost all planes were shipped overseas. Next they were caught up in an arms scandal during the Spanish Civil War and this forced the US Government to step in and take control of the company and production of the Brewster planes. The Brewster Aircraft Company finally closed its doors in 1944.

In July 1941 the USMC fighter squadron VMF-221 “Fighting Falcons” was formed in San Diego. After the attack on Pearl Harbor VMF-221 was sent to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa on Hawaii. On December 25th 1941 14 F2A-3 aircraft of VMF-221 took off from USS Saratoga and landed on Midway Island to form part of a relief force. After their F2A-3’s were out performed and almost completely destroyed by Japanese Zeroes at the Battle of Midway the VFM-221 returned to EWA.

Specification of Brewster F2A-3:

Powerplant 1 X Wright R-1820-40 Cyclone nine-cylinder single-row air-cooled radial, rated at 1,200 hp for takeoff and 900 hp at 14,000 feet Performance Maximum Speed: 321 mph at 16,500 feet and 284 mph at sea level Initial Climb Rate: 2,290 ft/min Service Ceiling: 33,200 feet Normal Range: 965 miles Maximum Range: 1,680 miles Weights Empty: 4,732 pounds Gross: 6,321 pounds Maximum Take-off: 7,159 pounds Dimensions Wingspan: 35 feet 0 inches Length: 26 feet 4 inches Height: 12 feet 1 inches Wing Area: 209 square feet Armament 4 X 0.50 inch machine guns, two in the upper fuselage and two in the wings