[Cruver Collecter]

Well the folks from UPS dropped off a box from Pete's today and one of the planes in it is the latest HM Grumman F3F-2. Just have to say the folks at Hobby Master do a mighty fine job on their biplane models. No quality control issues on this one and other than the landing gear fit not being as snug as the earlier F3F-1 model, no complaints. I really am enjoying having some prewar biplanes sitting on the shelf, looks pretty neat. Have to say the folks at HM have done a pretty impressive job with their biplanes, and looking forward to the next one coming out (Keeping my fingers crossed that they might do the orange Gulfhawk version.).




(Forgot to put the tail wheel on.)

[STARMAN 352ND]

That is the one to have for me right there....USMC F3F-2..
Great pictures.
JP

[Aeolus]

Received F3F-1 and F3F-2 is in the mail. Although I had initial skepticism especially regarding the bolts I must confess that all those little cons should not discourage anyone from purchasing these little gems, as gems they truely are. After Zed and his weathered S.Sabres I am pondering about doing some weathering on F3F myself- we will see, I am also hoping that HM will issue a Gulfhawk.

[Folgore]

I like the livery, but is the color correct on this model?

As it is displayed at the National Naval Aviation Museum, the plane has a gray fuselage, not silver, as in this photo.

[1250ships]

From Researcher @ Large - Pre-war US Navy Aircraft Painting:

Early silver paint formulas had problems adhering to the metals that they were supposed to protect from corrosion; consequently the Navy specified a substitute light gray paint. This gray was similar in tone to the silver paint but could vary in shade from light to very pale. Not all aircraft would receive this gray paint on their metal surfaces, but those that saw service on ships were much more likely.

By 1934 formulas had improved enough such that silver paint was again called for on metal surfaces, and newly constructed aircraft started appearing from the factory in all-over silver. Aircraft that would have undergone overhaul at this time would also repaint their gray surfaces to silver. Monoplanes would have definately been overall silver with no gray substitute. The below chart seeks to show which aircraft would have been silver and gray versus all-over silver.

The chart mentioned does not include the F3F.

Based on this I'd have to say the aircraft in the museum would not be correct. However the big "IF" is that this is a Marine aircraft and perhaps the Marines had different painting regulations.

[Folgore]

Aha! I knew someone here would be able to help me out.

Thanks, ships!

Edit after more research:
This 1938 photo of VMF-2 F3F-2s, while B&W, does seem to show a certain shininess on the fuselage. I found a cleaner version of this photo (and a few others of late-'30s USMC F3F-2s) in this large PDF document, too: Marine Corps Aviation: The Early Years 1912-1940. (Dang if the photos don't make the panel lines on the MH F3F seem a trifle deep, though.)

[TMARCUSK]

I pre-ordered this model along with the F3F-1 a few months back. The F3F-1 arrived; assuming the F3F-2 will be here shortly. Hobby Master doesn't disappoint.

[Captain Eddie]

Welcome to the Forum, TMARCUSK!

[TMARCUSK]

Originally Posted by Captain Eddie

Welcome to the Forum, TMARCUSK!

Thanks Captain Eddie!

[Shawn 507]

I have the first one enroute and have ordered the third USN one in blue. Might get the USMC eventually.