The Brewster F2A was an American carrier-based fighter aircraft used in the early years of World War Two. Designed by the Brewster Aeronautical Corporation, it featured an air-cooled Wright R-1820-34 radial engine, producing 950 hp, giving it a top speed of approximately 517 km/h (321 mph) and a range of 1,600 km (1,000 mi).
Armed with two .50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns and one .30 caliber machine gun, it had a modest armament for its time. Despite its sturdy construction and maneuverability, the F2A was hindered by poor high-altitude performance and sluggish handling when fully loaded. It was quickly outclassed by more advanced fighters like the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero, leading to its replacement in frontline U.S. Navy service, though it remained in use with Allied air forces in Finland, Britain, and the Netherlands. The Brewster F2A was called Buffalo by the British, Flying Coffin by the Dutch, and Pearl of the Sky by the Finns.
The Brewster F2A “Buffalo” in the pictures is on display in the Dutch National Military Museum (NNM). Although it is a replica, it is great to have a look at this aircraft in real life.
