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A Grumman F2F-1 fighter of U.S. Navy fighter squadron VF-2, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-2), in flight in the 1930s. (Source: U.S. Navy)
Development
Grumman's success with the two-seat FF-1, which was significantly faster than even the single-seat fighters of its time, resulted in a contract for the single-seat XF2F-1. Armed with two .30 caliber (7.62 mm) machine guns above the cowl, the new design also incorporated watertight compartments to reduce weight and improve survivability in the event of a water landing. The prototype first flew on 18 October 1933, equipped with the experimental 625 hp (466 kW) XR-1534-44 Twin Wasp Junior radial engine, and reached a top speed of 229 mph (369 km/h) at 8,400 ft (2,560 m) - 22 mph (35 km/h) faster than the FF-1 at the same altitude. Maneuverability also proved superior to the earlier two-seat aircraft.
The Navy ordered 54 F2F-1 fighters on 17 May 1934, with the first aircraft delivered on 19 January 1935. An additional aircraft was ordered to replace one which crashed on 16 March 1935, bringing the total to 55, and the final F2F-1 was delivered on 2 August 1935.
Service
The F2F-1 had a relatively long service life for the time, serving in front-line squadrons from 1935 to late 1939, when squadrons began to receive the F3F-3 as a replacement. By September 1940, the F2F had been completely replaced in fighter squadrons and was relegated to training and utility duties.
Sources:
Wikipedia: Grumman F2F
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