In 1938 the USN ordered an improved version of the F3F-2 because the replacement
monoplane Brewster F2A and F4F Wildcat were delayed in development. To accomplish
this Grumman started to modify the 65th F3F-2 to F3F-3 standards with 26 more aircraft
being produced as F3F-3. The modifications were comprised of an upgraded engine
with a smaller diameter propeller and a modified cowling as well as small flaps and
revised leading edges. The armament wasn’t changed. By the end of 1941 the entire
operational biplane fleet was replaced but 117 were sent to various bases for training
and transportation. The F3F-3 had two distinctions; it was the last of the USN biplanes
as well as being the fastest carrier-borne biplane in the world.

VF-6 Squadron was formed when VF-1B and VF-8B merged on July 1, 1937. VF-6 was
one of the first to receive the new Grumman F3F-3. The F3F series was affectionately
nicknamed “The Flying Barrel” and was considered very ugly but it didn’t take long for
people to see the beauty of the entire package. At the time VF-6 was assigned to the
USS Enterprise that painted her aircraft blue for ease of identification. The last F3F-3
was flown by VMF-211 on October 10, 1941. On July 15, 1943 VF-6 (Shooting Stars)
swapped designations with VF-3 (Felix the Cat Squadron) and this was the beginning of
a 3 year feud. Both squadrons claimed Felix as their mascot until November 1946 when
VF-6 was decommissioned.

Specifications for the Grumman F3F-3

Role – ship-board biplane fighter

Crew – (1) pilot

Performance
Engine – (1) Wright R-1820-22 “Cyclone” 9-cylinder radial, 950 hp   (710 kW)
Maximum Speed – 264 mph   (425 km/h)   (229 kts) @ 15,250 ft   (4,658 m)
Cruise Speed – 150 mph   (240 km/h)   (130 kts)
Range – 980 miles   (1,600 km)   (850 nm)
Service ceiling – 33,200 ft   (10,120 m)
Rate of Climb – 2,800 ft/min   (14 m/s) @ sea level

Dimensions
Length – 23 ft 2 in   (7.06 m)
Wingspan – 32 ft 0 in   (9.75 m)
Height – 9 ft 4 in   (2.84 m)
Wing Area – 260 ft/sq   (24.15 m/sq)

Armament
Left - (1) 0.30 in   (7.62 mm) M1919 Machine Gun – 500 rounds
Right – (1) 0.50 in   (12.7 mm) M2 Machine Gun – 200 rounds
Bombs – (2) 116 lb   (52.6 kg) Mk IV – (1) under each wing

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