The Grumman F3F is a biplane fighter aircraft produced by the Grumman aircraft for the United States Navy during the mid-1930s. Designed as an improvement on the F2F, it entered service in 1936 as the last biplane to be delivered to any American military air arm.

May 4, 2021 · It first flew on 18 October 1933, with a 625 hp (466 kW) XR-1534-44 Twin Wasp Junior radial engine, proving able to reach 229 mph (369 km/h), some 22 mph (35 km/h) faster than the FF-1 and more agile. 55 were built, ordered …

The Grumman F3F was an improved version of the F2F, and was the last biplane fighter that the US Navy put into service. The wing span was increased by 3 ft. 6 inches and the tail section was slightly enlarged.

Powered by the same Pratt & Whitney R-1535-72 Twin Wasp Junior engine as the F2F, the fuselage was lengthened and wing area increased over the earlier design. Wheel diameter reduction allowed greater fuselage streamlining, eliminating the prominent bulge behind the cowling of the F2F.

Specialized in welding aluminium tubing for truck frames, Leroy Grumman soon focused on obtaining US Navy contracts. He proposed floats with a retractable landing gear, soon propelling Grumman with its FF-1 biplane into the admiralty's favorite manufacturer.

Oct 4, 2021 · Sadly, the prototype XF3F-1 (BuNo.09727) crashed on March 22, 1935, just two days after its first flight; company test pilot, Jimmy Collins, lost his life when the aircraft broke apart during dive tests. A second prototype was built and oddly – perhaps prophetically – assigned the same BuNo.

Oct 24, 2018 · Page details technical specifications, development, and operational history of the Grumman F3F Carrier-based Biplane Fighter Aircraft including pictures.

The Grumman F3F served with front-line squadrons until 1940-41. During the first part of World War II, the surviving planes were used for advanced training and in utility roles. This page features views of all models of Grumman F3F fighters.

Oct 1, 2024 · The Grumman F3F was the last American biplane fighter aircraft delivered to the United States Navy (indeed, the last biplane fighter delivered to any American military air arm), and served between the wars. Designed as an improvement on the …

Aug 3, 2023 · The F3F was the final development in Grumman’s family of naval biplane fighters, succeeding to the FF and F2F models. Joining US Navy squadrons in 1936, it was also the last biplane fighter to enter service with any branch of the US military.