US Naval Aviation of the 1930s

[Aaronw]

Curtiss F11C-2 Goshawk, 1/72 Monogram kit from the late 1960s.

The Goshawk was developed from the earlier Curtiss fighters used by the Army. It served with the US Navy as a fighter bomber from 1932 to 1938.

Grumman F3F-2 "Flying barrel", 1/72 Special Hobby kit. It was a bit fiddly being a short run multi-media kit, but with some patience went together ok.

The Grumman F3F was the last biplane fighter ordered by the US Navy. It entered service in 1936 and was withdrawn from combat use in 1941, shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor. They did remain in service as squadron hacks and remote control target drones until 1943.

This particular aircraft is marked for USMC pilot Robert Galer who became an ace and was awarded the Medal of honor during the fighting at Guadalcanal 1942-43. This aircraft ditched off the coast of San Diego in 1940 but was recovered and restored in 1991 making it the only original F3F-2 known to exist.

[berr13]

That's some really nice work on those two...I have a special fondness for those old Monogram kits, and have to admit I have many of them in my stash. Fantastic work!

[Agent G]

Good stuff!

I love the Marine Corps Grumman.

G