Grumman F3F-2, 1936-1990, bulk bulk

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Summary

Creators:
San Diego Air and Space Museum
Abstract:
The materials in this collection relate to the restoration of a salvaged Grumman F3F-2 that was restored by San Diego Aerospace Museum staff and volunteers in 1990.
Extent:
1.2 Cubic Feet Three (3) boxes; two 5”x10.5”x12” and one 5”x10.5”x15.5”.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum Library & Archives”]

Background

Scope and content:

Three (3) boxes; two 5”x10.5”x12” and one 5”x10.5”x15.5”. All of the materials in this collection are largely oversized blueprints and directions on the assembly of the aircraft. The contents of this collection are organized by order of assembly and by general categories.

Biographical / historical:

The Grumman F3F was a last US biplane fighter aircraft, serving in the interim-war period. In 1990, SDASM restored a Grumman F3F that had been ditched off the coast of San Diego.

The Grumman F3F fighter/bomber was brought into service in 1936 to replace the Grumman F2F, serving both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. It was the last American biplane fighter that served between World War I and World War II. Before it could serve in World War II it was retired and replaced by the Brewster F2A Buffalo. This aircraft was found to be ineffective before the start of World War II and was taken out of service in 1941 and was replaced by the Grumman F4F Wildcat.

In August 1940, First Lieutenant Bob Galer, USMC, was forced to ditch his Grumman F3F-2 off the coast of San Diego. This aircraft was found at the bottom of the ocean in 1988 and lifted out in 1990. The plane was then transported to the San Diego Air and Space Museum where they agreed to do the restore the fighter for the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida in exchange for a North American Aviation T-28 Trojan and a loan of a Grumman F4F/FM-2 Wildcat.

Acquisition information:
The materials in this collection were collected by staff and volunteers of SDASM while restoring this aircraft in 1990.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open to researchers by appointment.

Terms of access:

Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.

Preferred citation:

[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum Library & Archives”]

Location of this collection:
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 234-8291
archives@sdasm.org
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