Descriptive Finding Guide for Grumman F3F-2 1936-1941 Prepared by: Joshua Halican, Axel Rinder June 5, 2014 1
Cataloging Information ACC#: L.C. MS.#: Location: Archives Restrictions: None URL: http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/collections/collection_item.php?id=135 URL Flickr: - Copyright: SDASM Provenance The materials in this collection were collected by staff and volunteers of SDASM while restoring this aircraft in 1990. History 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. Scope & Content Notes 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. Related SDASM Resources: Photos of the Grumman F3F (01_00092235-01_00092238) 2
San Diego Aerospace Museum Newsletter Ed Leiser, The First F3F: A Restoration Update (San Diego Aerospace Museum Newsletter, 1992), 3-3. Related Research Institutions: National Naval Aviation Museum 1750 Radford Blvd., Suite C Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32508 Phone: (850) 452-3604 or (850) 452-3606 Fax: (850) 452-3296 museuminfo.navalaviation@mchsi.com http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/ Secondary Sources: The Aviation History Online Museum http://www.aviation-history.com/grumman/f3f.htm Important Personalities & Subjects Grumman F3F-2 Flying Barrel ; Fuselage; Wings; Cabin; Engine; Landing; Weapons; Final Assembly; Schematic; Restoration; World War II SERIES I: Fuselage SERIES II: Wings SERIES III: Cabin SERIES IV: Engine SERIES V: Miscellaneous Series Description Box 01 Box Listing SERIES I: Fuselage Folder 01 Fuselage Line 2 schematics for fuselage line. Folder 02 Fuselage Assembly 9 schematics for fuselage assembly. Folder 03 Induction System 1 schematic for induction system. Folder 04 Cowling 2 schematics for cowling. 3
SERIES II: Wings Folder 01 Wing Erection 2 schematics for wing erection. Folder 02 Rudder Assembly 3 schematics for rudder assembly. Folder 03 Stabilizer Assembly 4 schematics for stabilizer assembly. Folder 04 Tail Erection 1 schematic for tail erection. Folder 05 Rib 4 schematics for rib. Folder 06 Lower Wing Assembly 2 schematics for lower wing assembly. Box 02 Folder 07 Upper Wing Assembly 2 schematics for upper wing assembly. Folder 08 Covering Lower/Upper Panel 2 schematics for covering lower/upper panel. Folder 09 Control Rudder Tab 1 schematic for control rudder tab. Folder 10 Tricing Sling 1 schematic for tricing sling. Folder 11 Hoisting Sling 1 schematic for hoisting sling. Folder 12 Fixed Equipment 3 schematics for fixed equipment. SERIES III: Cabin Folder 01 Windshield Assembly 2 schematics for windshield assembly. Folder 02 Cabin Assembly 2 schematics for cabin assembly. Folder 03 Useful Load 2 schematics for useful load. Folder 04 Enclosure Cabin 1 schematic for enclosure cabin. Folder 05 Pilot Seat 3 schematics for pilot seat. Folder 06 Panel Aux (auxiliary) 1 schematic for panel aux. 4
SERIES IV: Engine Folder 01 Power Plant 3 schematics for power plant. Folder 02 Oil System 2 schematics for oil system. Folder 03 Fairing Oil Cooler 1 schematic for fairing oil cooler. Folder 05 Oil System 1 schematics for oil system. Folder 06 Cartridge Starter 1 schematic for cartridge starter. Folder 07 Engine Mount 3 schematics for engine mount. Folder 08 Tank Installation 1 schematic for tank installation. Folder 09 Exhaust System 1 schematic for exhaust system. Folder 10 Engine Controls 1 schematic for engine controls. Folder 11 Induction System Installation 1 schematic for induction system installation. Folder 12 Fuel System 5 schematics for fuel system. Folder 13 Electrical System 4 schematics for electrical system. Box 03 Folder 01 Hand Crank 2 schematics for hand crank. Folder 02 Landing Gear 2 schematics for landing gear. Folder 03 Arresting Gear 1 schematic for arresting gear. Folder 04 Control Wobble Pump 1 schematic for control wobble pump. Folder 05 Inboard Profile 2 schematics for inboard profile. Folder 06 General Arrangements 5 schematics for general arrangements. Folder 07 General Layout 1 schematic for general layout. Folder 08 Final Assembly 3 schematics for final assembly. Folder 09 Weapons System 5
2 schematics for weapons systems. Folder 10 Fin System 1 schematic for fin system. Folder 11 Fin 1 schematic for fin. Folder 12 Bomb Control Installation 1 schematic for bomb control installation. Folder 13 Cone 1 schematic for cone. SERIES V: Miscellaneous Folder 01 Pictures 46 Inflight and ground pictures. Folder 02 F3F Drawings Booklet About 30 drawings of the F3F. Folder 03 Manuals and General Information Erection and Maintenance Instructions Booklet, January 15, 1936, 87 pages. Finish Specification for Model F3F-1 Airplane, January 15, 1936, 14 pages. Folder 04 Miscellaneous Professional notes, letters between Director of Naval Aviation Museum and Chief of Naval Operations and other correspondence c.1988-89, photocopies of diagrams and drawings, meeting minutes and memos. End of Box Listing 6