Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>F2A>HA7012

General Background

The Brewster F2A Buffalo was USN's first mono-wing fighter. The status of the “Buffalo” is somewhat controversial in the history of aviation. It was designed by US but saw its real success only in Finland, a co-belligerent of Germany during WWII. It was designed as a carrier based fighter but only saw combat from land bases.

The most distinctive feature of the Buffalo was the retractable landing gear. With the right pilot the plane was quite capable in combat. Some historians believe that some units of the Commonwealth squadrons may have achieved a 2 to 1 kill ratio in the Far East.

The Aircraft

On August 1, 1941 1Lt. Hans "Hasse" Wind joined 4/LeLv 24 and became an ace on March 29, 1942. In August 1942 Wind was transferred to 1/LeLv 24 and was assigned Brewster Model 239 BW-393 "White 7". On November 10 1942 Wind took command of the flight until January 15, 1943. On May 27, 1943 he was transferred to 3/LeLv 24 where he was promoted to Captain. He finished the war with 302 combat sorties and a total of 75 kills. 39 kills came flying a Brewster Model 239.

Specifications :

Power plant:	One Wright R-1820-40 Cyclone nine-cylinder single row air-cooled radial, rated at 1200 hp
Performance:	Maximum speed - 285 mph at sea level
	323 mph at 16,500 ft.
	344 mph at 26,500 ft.
	cruising speed 157mph
	landing speed 73 mph
	initial climb rate 2500 ft/min.
	Service ceiling 34,000 ft.
Weight:	4576 lbs. Empty
	5942 lbs. Gross
	6890 lbs. Maximum take-off
Dimensions:	Wingspan – 35 ft.
	Length – 26 ft.
	Height – 11 ft. 8 ins.
	Wing area – 209 sq. ft
Armament	Four Browning 0.50 in. machine guns, two in the upper engine cowling, one in each wing.
	Under each wing bomb racks that could carry one 100-lb. bomb just outboard of the main landing gear.