Grumman F3F | |
|---|---|
| 国家 | 美国 |
| 作用 | 战斗机 |
| 首次飞行 | 1935年3月20日 |
| 建立 | 147 |
这 格鲁曼F3F 是最后一架交付给美国海军的美国双翼战斗机（事实上，最后一架交付给任何美国军事航空兵的双翼战斗机），并在战争期间服役。设计为改进单座F2F，于1936年投入使用。1941年底，它从前线中队退役，之后在二战中服役，并首次被布鲁斯特F2A布法罗队取代。F3F继承了勒罗伊·格鲁曼设计的可伸缩主起落架配置，最初用于格鲁曼FF作为双翼飞机设计的基础，最终发展成为更成功的F4F野猫。
| 格鲁曼F3F-3四处走动 | |
|---|---|
| 摄影师 | 塞斯·亨德里克斯 |
| 本地化 | 未知 |
| 照片 | 40 |
| Grumman F3F-2 Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| 摄影师 | Fotios Rouch |
| 本地化 | 未知 |
| 照片 | 30 |
另请参阅：
The End of an Era
这 Grumman F3F-3 represents the absolute zenith of biplane fighter technology for the U.S. Navy. Often called the “Flying Barrel” due to its short, tubby fuselage, it was designed to cram the most powerful engine possible into the smallest airframe. While the world was moving toward monoplanes like the Messerschmitt Bf 109, the F3F-3 remained the fleet’s premier interceptor until 1941. It was the last biplane fighter ever ordered by the U.S. military, serving as the final bridge before the arrival of the legendary monoplane “Cats.”
| Attribute | Technical Specification (F3F-3) |
|---|---|
| 作用 | Carrier-based Fighter |
| 船员 | 1 (Pilot) |
| First Flight (F3F series) | March 20, 1935 |
| 动力装置 | 1 × Wright R-1820-22 “Cyclone” 9-cylinder radial |
| Horsepower | 950 hp (708 kW) |
| 最高速度 | 264 mph (425 km/h) |
| Rate of Climb | 2,750 ft/min (14 m/s) |
| 装备 | 1 × .30 cal M1919 Browning; 1 × .50 cal M2 Browning |
Engineering a “Super Biplane”
- Retractable Landing Gear: Like its predecessor, the F2F, the F3F featured Grumman’s signature manual retractable gear. The wheels tucked flush into the sides of the fuselage, a complex mechanism that required the pilot to vigorously crank a hand-lever 28 times.
- The “NACA” Cowling: The F3F-3 utilized an advanced NACA engine cowling that helped streamline the bulky radial engine while simultaneously improving cooling, allowing for the higher speeds necessary to keep up with early monoplanes.
- All-Metal Fuselage: While the wings were still fabric-covered over a metal frame to save weight, the fuselage was a modern aluminum monocoque structure, providing the “Iron Works” durability Grumman was becoming known for.
- Short-Coupled Maneuverability: Because of its short length and dual-wing lift, the F3F-3 was incredibly agile in a dogfight, possessing a turn radius that most modern monoplanes could never hope to match.
Pre-War Service & Legacy
- “Yellow Wings” Era: The F3F-3 is the iconic representative of the “Golden Age” of naval aviation, characterized by bright yellow upper wings (for visibility in case of a ditching) and colorful tail markings indicating the aircraft’s carrier and squadron.
- The Last of its Kind: Only 27 of the “-3” variant were built. They were the last biplanes delivered to the Navy, and by the time Pearl Harbor was attacked, they had been relegated to training roles as the F4F Wildcat took over the front lines.
- The Wildcat Connection: If you look closely at the F3F, you can see the “DNA” of the F4F Wildcat. Grumman essentially took the F3F fuselage, removed the second wing, and strengthened the gear to create the G-16, which eventually evolved into the Wildcat.
- The Gulfhawk: A civilian version, the G-22 Gulfhawk II, was flown by legendary pilot Al Williams for major airshows. It is now a center-piece at the National Air and Space Museum.
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