Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA7308 Grumman F3F-1 0236, VF-6B, USS Saratoga, circa. 1936

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.

Movable rudder Comes with a pilot that can be removed.

Comes with display stand.

Can be displayed with landing gear up or down.

Produced in the mid to late 1930s the F3F-1 as well as the 2 and 3 variants belonged to what probably was the most colorful era in US military aviation history. Grumman took all the lessons learned from the 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 spinning a three-bladed Hamilton Standard propeller. The plane also had improved retractable landing gear, longer fuselage that improved stability. 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.

Specifications for the Grumman F3F-1 Crew - (1) pilot

Performance Engine - (1) Pratt & Whitney “Twin Wasp Jr.” radial, 650 hp 2,200 rpm @ 7,500 ft Maximum Speed - 240 mph (386 km/h) Cruise Speed - 215 mph (346 km/h) Range - 720 miles (1,159 km) Service ceiling - 29,000 ft (8,839m) ROC - 2,700 ft/min (823 m/min)

Weight Maximum - 4,100 lb. (1,860 kg) Empty - 2,870 lb. (1,302 kg)

Dimensions Length - 23 ft 3 in (7.07 m) Wingspan - 32 ft 0 in (9.75 m) Height - 9 ft 1 in (2.75 m) Wing Area - 260 ft/sq (24.15 m/sq)

Armament Left - (1) 0.30 in (7.62 mm) M1919 Machine Gun - 500 rounds Right - (1) 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Machine Gun - 200 rounds Bombs - (2) 116 lb (52.6 kg) Mk IV - (1) under each wing