Brewster & Company started out as a manufacturer of horse-drawn wagons and
carriages. In 1920 they moved up to supplying aircraft floats to the Naval Aircraft Factory.
The next step was producing things so they designed the SBN-1 low-wing, two-seater,
all-metal torpedo/bomber/reconnaissance plane for the USN. The next big break came
when their Brewster F2A was chosen over the Grumman F4F. What should have been a
great opportunity for the company turned into a night-mare. They sold far more planes
than they could produce which meant the US orders weren’t being filled as almost all
planes were shipped overseas. Next they were caught up in an arms scandal during the
Spanish Civil War and this forced the US Government to step in and take control of the
company and production of the Brewster planes. The Brewster Aircraft Company finally
closed its doors in 1944.

On June 4 1942, while attacking a Japanese bomber that was approaching Midway VMF-
221 F2A-3 pilot Captain William Humberd, USMC, was jumped by some Zeroes. He
quickly put the Brewster into a dive to sea level and with the dive speed he out distanced
his attackers. When Humberd had enough of a lead he turned the aircraft around and
went head on with a single Zero. He opened fire with his guns and as he went flying past
the Zero he saw it crash into the ocean. VMF-221 “the Fighting Falcons” had 13 of their
26 F2A-3s completely destroyed and 11 of the surviving planes were too damaged to fly.
In 1943 they transitioned to the F4U Corsair and in December of the same year they
were sent State-side for re-organization.

Specification of Brewster F2A-3:

Powerplant
1 X Wright R-1820-40 Cyclone nine-cylinder single-row air-cooled radial, rated at 1,200
hp for takeoff and 900 hp at 14,000 feet

Performance
Maximum Speed: 321 mph at 16,500 feet and 284 mph at sea level
Initial Climb Rate: 2,290 ft/min
Service Ceiling: 33,200 feet
Normal Range: 965 miles
Maximum Range: 1,680 miles

Weights
Empty: 4,732 pounds
Gross: 6,321 pounds
Maximum Take-off: 7,159 pounds

Dimensions
Wingspan: 35 feet 0 inches
Length: 26 feet 4 inches
Height: 12 feet 1 inches
Wing Area: 209 square feet

Armament
4 X 0.50 inch machine guns, two in the upper fuselage and two in the wings

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