Descriptive Finding Guide for the Grumman F3F-2 Collection SDASM.SC.10059
Joshua Halican and Axel Rinder
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
June 5, 2014
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101
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
Folder 01 – Fuselage Line
Folder 02 – Fuselage Assembly
Folder 03 – Induction System
Folder 01 – Wing Erection
Folder 02 – Rudder Assembly
Folder 03 – Stabilizer Assembly
Folder 04 – Tail Erection
Folder 06 – Lower Wing Assembly
Folder 07 – Upper Wing Assembly
Folder 08 – Covering Lower/Upper Panel
Folder 09 – Control Rudder Tab
Folder 10 – Tricing Sling
Folder 11 – Hoisting Sling
Folder 12 – Fixed Equipment
Folder 01 – Windshield Assembly
Folder 02 – Cabin Assembly
Folder 04 – Enclosure Cabin
Folder 06 – Panel Aux (auxiliary)
Folder 03 – Arresting Gear
Folder 04 – Control Wobble Pump
Folder 05 – Inboard Profile
Folder 06 – General Arrangements
Folder 07 – General Layout
Folder 08 – Final Assembly
Folder 09 – Weapons System
Folder 12 – Bomb Control Installation
Folder 02 – F3F Drawings Booklet
Folder 03 – Manuals and General Information I
Folder 04– Manuals and General Information II
Folder 05 – Manuals and General Information III
Folder 06 – Miscellaneous
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Grumman F3F-2
