Hobby Master HA7309 1:48 Grumman F3F-1

Hobby Master HA7309 1:48 Grumman F3F-1 0239, VF-6B, Late 1930s

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.

VF-6 was originally formed as Combat Squadron 4 in 1921and re-designated VF-2 in 1922, VF-2B in 1923 and VF6B and then VF-6 in 1927. In 1928 VF-6 became VB-2B and then VF-6B in 1930, in 1937 VF-3 and finally VF-6 in 1943 only to be disestablished in 1945. In 1935 the new F3F-1 was first introduced and by 1936 the USN had received fifty four that would equip (VF) 5B on the USS Ranger and VF-6B on the USS Saratoga. These squadrons would become VF-4 and VF-3 respectively and flew the F3F-1 until 1940.