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Grumman F3F-2
SDASM.SC.10059  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Biographical / Historical
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Related Materials
  • Preferred Citation
  • Scope and Contents

  • Language of Material: English
    Contributing Institution: San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
    Title: Grumman F3F-2
    creator: San Diego Air and Space Museum
    Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10059
    Physical Description: 1.2 Cubic Feet Three (3) boxes; two 5”x10.5”x12” and one 5”x10.5”x15.5”.
    Date (inclusive): 1936-1990
    Date (bulk): bulk
    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.

    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.

    Conditions Governing Access

    The collection is open to researchers by appointment.

    Conditions Governing Use

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

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    The materials in this collection were collected by staff and volunteers of SDASM while restoring this aircraft in 1990.

    Related Materials

    a more detailed finding guide for this collection is avilable at http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/collections/collection_item.php?id=135

    Preferred Citation

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

    Scope and Contents

    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.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Airplanes -- Motors
    Airplanes -- Wings
    Engineering drawings
    Grumman F3F-2
    Pensacola (Florida)
    Fighter planes
    World War, 1939-1945
    Aircraft cabins
    Aircraft industry -- Employees
    Airplanes -- Conservation and restoration
    Aircraft accidents
    Airplanes -- Fuselage
    Airplanes -- Landing gear
    San Diego Air and Space Museum
    Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation