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The F2A was the first monoplane carrier fighter of the USN, designed in response to a requirement issued in 1935. The F2A had a small barrel-shaped fuselage, small wings, retractable narrow-track landing gear and an enclosed cockpit. The undercarriage was insufficiently strong for carrier operations. The F2A was originally preferred by the USN over the Grumman F4F-2 Wildcat, later to gain fame in much redesigned form. It entered service in 1939, but already in 1941 it was being replaced by the F4F, and the only US unit to use it in combat was an USMC squadron defending Midway. The F2A was not a bad aircraft, but a poor basis for further development. It was also totally outclassed by the Mitshubishi A6M Reisen "Zero" and proved a disaster in combat. Export versions had a more succes, notably in Finland. The RAF named it 'Buffalo'.

Jirka Wagner