I’ve managed to get myself into another pickle and need some direction. I managed to win a Combat models Brewster Buffalo on E-bay and I want to find some difinitive infomation on the F2A-1 or Brewster 239. The kit is an F2A-3 and I would like to backdate it to the F2A-1. I’m looking for 3 view drawings and specifications of the F2A-1 I’ve seache4d a few places and the measurements or the drawings are showing either the same views for all versions which is not right or the same dimensions for the different versions which is not right either. I’m wanting to build this kit as a Finnish “Sky Pearl” . I know there are many detractors from the Buffalo and it’s record but I’ve always liked this little flying barrel and I’d like to do this thing up well. Any input is greatly appreciated.
Nice to see a fellow “Buff-O-Phile” !! The Squadron/Signal book, F2A Buffalo in Action, has some good 3-views of the F2A-1. I could photocopy them for you if you want.
Its a good book for Buff fans, you may want to pick one up for yourself. [:)]
Depending on how detailed you want to get, there were several small differance between the F2A-1 and the Finnish B-239. For starters, in the cockpit, they changed the pilots seat, exchanging the leather headrest for an armoured one the inflatable raft was removed, and the RDF antenna was simplified and changed. The telescopic gunsight was also removed and replaced with either a rind & bead gunsight on early models and a reflector sight in later models. The engine was also changed from the Wright R-1820-34 to the Wright 1820G-5 Cyclone. Armament was one .30 and one .50 in the cowling and one .50 in each wing. The F2A-1/B-239 was also 4 inches shorter than the F2A-3, but the wingspan was the same.
Except for those minor details, the conversion is quite doable.
Thanks for the reply just about the time I finished posting the initial query I remembered the Squadron Signal in action book. I need to pick one up. Thanks for the offer but I probably should buy the book and avoid us getting in trouble over copies. The way my luck has been running lately I don’t want to tempt fate and drag anyone else down into the depths with me LOL!!
I’m working on the Tamiya 1/48th Scale Buffalo at the moment. Just came in from the shop as a matter of fact. I think the best reference out there is the Squadron “In Action” book. It has been an invaluable reference for me during this build. I’m building mine as a 339/Buffalo MkI , SEA theatre. I’m having problems with the colors, in particular the underside. It seems that no definitve information exists. Ospreys “Finnish Aces” has profiles and drawing of the B-239. Kagero has a book out on the F2A, but I’ve never seen it. I think it’s out of print. It’s a hard plane to research. I keep seeing the same pictures over & over.
The Finn’s loved the Brewster. They even built a monument to it.
Here are some WIP shots of my 1/48th Tamiya Buffalo Mk.I/ B-339. The paint is all done. Just needs a coat of future, decals, washes,weathering and the canopy masked & painted. Decals will be from Aeromaster.
Very Nice work Mike! Really clean build looks really nice I guess I’ll have to build one of my 3 1/48 scale ones also now[:)]. She’ll be a knock-out once complete!
Thanks for the info Mike. Just by coincidence, I ordered some Testors acrylic and Pollyscale paints this earlier morning to try out on an upcoming build.
