Brewster Buffalo variant dimensions

[72modeler]

@jimmaas, and also@Antti_K,

 

So as to not sway the previous topic discussion too far off-course, your comments got me to thinking, as I am working up the courage to come out of retirement and doing a Buffalo herd is a really attractive prospect. Seeing as how you are highly regarded as the go-to guy for all things Buffalo, I would like to run this by you before I start bending and gluing plastic- did I get these observations anywhere near correct? Help me, Obie-Wan! (After consulting my copy of the Ginter F2A book.) I've got multiple boxings of the Hasegawa, Special Hobbyy. Matchbox, and Airfix 1/72 kits, if that helps. (I'm thinking a Finnish B-239, a Marine F2A-3, and an RAF B-339-E)

 

F2A-1: R-1820-24; oal 26' 5"

 

F2A-2: R-1820-40; oal 25' 7" (exhausts moved higher up and angled back more than the -1; length of the cowling reduced by 5" forward of the firewall compared to the -1)

 

F2A-3: R-1820-40; oal 26. 5" (fuselage extended 12" forward of the wingroot; additional 40-gallon fuselage tank added that blocked pilot view  through belly window, so it was deleted.

 

B-339D/E: R-1820G-105; same dimensions as the -2; four .50cal guns, extra landing light; faired-over tailcone; RAF Mk III gunsight; fixed pneumatic tailwheel; clear vision panel added to the LH forward panel of the canopy; Sutton or U.S. Harness?

 

Finnish B-239's: same as the F2A-1, as 44 of them  were sold to Finland in December, 1939, when the USN agreed to give  up delivery in order to receive F2A-2's  all naval equipment was removed- arresting and catapult hooks; telescopic gun sight, life raft container behind seat; barrier arresting guards on the landing gear struts; Revi gun sights fitted upon re-assembly and erection in Finland. Did they retain their USN seat harnesses?)

 

Thanks in advance!

Mike

Edited February 23, 2020 by 72modeler
deleted incorrect data

[mhaselden]

I'm not Jim - he's the Jedi master.and I'm just the paduan - but the B339B (Belgian), B339C/D (Dutch) and B339E (British) had the same basic dimensions as the F2A-2.

[LDSModeller]

1 hour ago, 72modeler said:

B-339D/E: R-1820G-105; same dimensions as the -3; four .50cal guns, extra landing light; faired-over tailcone; RAF Mk III gunsight; fixed pneumatic tailwheel; clear vision panel added to the LH forward panel of the canopy; Sutton or U.S. Harness?

Hi Mike,

 

I think you are confusing the 339E dimensions (which Mark has corrected above) with the

339-23 which essentially was a F2A-3, built to Dutch requirements, but were taken over

by RAAF/USAAF after the NEI forces capitulated  circa March 1942. The shipment was diverted

to Australia

From the ADF Serials site

RAAF 339E-23

 

RAF 339E's flown by RAF/Commonwealth pilots used the Sutton Harness, as illustrated by

John "Hutch" Hutchinson  488 NZ Squadron Kallang circa 1941

 

Note that when you compare the USN F2A-2 Cockpit with the RAF 339E cockpit, there were similarities,

but there were also major differences too - from my 488 NZ Squadron 339E Buffalo build

 

Regards

 

Alan

 

[jimmaas]

I'll be glad to help though due to some issues, it may be a bit sporadic.  One item I forgot in the description of the wing gun round counter- it was on all the variants except the F2A-3,  which means you have to eliminate the little bumps on that version ( I'll have to check on the 339-23). I guess Brewster finally figured out how to wire counters inside the cockpit.

EDIT: the 339-23 (ex Netherlands,  used by RAAF and USAAF) did have the small bumps for the round counters.  So just grind off for the F2A-3. 

Edited February 23, 2020 by jimmaas

[72modeler]

@LDSModeller and @mhaselden,

 

I think you are both correct! I pulled my Squadron-Signal F2A Buffalo In Action and the Aerodata International US Navy Carrier Fighters of World War II, and they both agree that the export Brewster B-339B/D/E's were all de-navalised F2A-2's, so they would have the same oal  as that version, not the F2A-3. Usually you can take the information in a Ginter book to the bank, but I guess nobody is perfect! I will amend my post to eliminate the incorrect information. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, gentlemen!

Mike

[jimmaas]

Just to mess things up, the length of the 339B,C,D,E would be more than that of the F2A-2, since they had that pointy tail cone and the -2 didn't.  Also bear in mind that the length for the F2A-3 included the spinner, even though in USN service it was normally removed.

Edited February 23, 2020 by jimmaas
Evil Autocorrect

[72modeler]

Aieeeee!

Mike

[Antti_K]

Hello Mike,

 

Finnish Air Force Museum has Brewster Buffalo Erection & Maintenance Manual in their collection. The manual gives the overall length of 26 ft 5 in. Whether it is accurate, I can't say.

 

You can read the manual online in here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qoNCamzDsVF3S4xAQ0bvPdRze-YXFBiX

 

The museum also has Detail Specifications booklet giving the overall length as 26 ft 0-0,5 in. This manual is also available online: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qoNCamzDsVF3S4xAQ0bvPdRze-YXFBiX

 

I got the Tamiya 1/48 scale kit and I just bought decals for a Finnish Buffalo (this sounds strange as we call her Brewster here in Finland). Now I have difficulties to sleep as I want to build an RAF example based at Singapore as well. Well, maybe I just need to buy another one😉

 

Remember to check the Air Force Museum's digital photo collection also. You can find it in here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OWzvT0aOWH5_TZWatgLlg-yyrlGaQv74

 

Cheers,

Antti

[72modeler]

@Antti_K,

 

Thank you so much for the links- the photo collection is outstanding, and I will look at each and every one. I appreciate your sharing them.

Mike