[1250ships]

Picked this up mainly because it was on clearance sale at Flying Mule. So far it is the only grey US Navy livery available on the mould. The unit is VS-201 that operated off USS Long Island during mid 1941 as part of tests to determine the operational capabilities of escort carriers. Not a combat bird or in the bright pre-war US Navy colors but a nice model well worth the price at under $30.

The Buffalos VS-201 operated were apparently eight F2A-1 versions that had been updated to the F2A-2 standard. They formed a mixed airgroup with the SOC-3A Seagull configured with wheels instead of floats. VS-201 was the Navy's first composite squadron operating dis-similar aircraft under a single squadron banner.

I will be interested to see if Hobby Master puts out one of the war time F2A-3 Buffalos of VMF-211. They were the last US unit to operate the Buffalos in front line use and the only one to operate it off of carriers. They were still flying Buffalos off USS Long Island in July of 1942. VMF-211 is the unit that supplied the aircraft for the defense of Wake Island. After Wake was overrun the squadron was rebuilt but instead of Wildcats which were in short supply they initially received Buffalos.

[Ara1]

Nice 1250ships. Are these your pictures? How well does the landing gear operate? Any flaws in your model?

It looks great!

[1250ships]

Originally Posted by Ara1

Nice 1250ships. Are these your pictures? How well does the landing gear operate? Any flaws in your model?

It looks great!

Yes, my photos. The gear works fine. You have to insert a piece to get them locked into place. It is about as hard as adding the down gear on a model like the Gemini Spitfire. No flaws to be seen on mine.