Brewster & Company started out as a manufacturer of horse-drawn wagons and
carriages. In 1920 they moved up to supplying aircraft floats to the Naval Aircraft Factory.
The next step was producing things so they designed the SBN-1 low-wing, two-seater, all-
metal torpedo/bomber/reconnaissance plane for the USN. The next big break came when
their Brewster F2A was chosen over the Grumman F4F. What should have been a great
opportunity for the company turned into a night-mare. They sold far more planes than they
could produce which meant the US orders weren’t being filled as almost all planes were
shipped overseas. Next they were caught up in an arms scandal during the Spanish Civil
War and this forced the US Government to step in and take control of the company and
production of the Brewster planes. The Brewster Aircraft Company finally closed its doors
in 1944.

In July 1941 the USMC fighter squadron VMF-221 “Fighting Falcons” was formed in San
Diego. After the attack on Pearl Harbor VMF-221 was sent to Marine Corps Air Station
Ewa on Hawaii. On December 25th 1941 14 F2A-3 aircraft of VMF-221 took off from USS
Saratoga and landed on Midway Island to form part of a relief force. After their F2A-3’s
were out performed and almost completely destroyed by Japanese Zeroes at the Battle of
Midway the VFM-221 returned to EWA.

Specification of Brewster F2A-3:

Powerplant
1 X Wright R-1820-40 Cyclone nine-cylinder single-row air-cooled radial, rated at 1,200 hp
for takeoff and 900 hp at 14,000 feet

Performance
Maximum Speed: 321 mph at 16,500 feet and 284 mph at sea level
Initial Climb Rate: 2,290 ft/min
Service Ceiling: 33,200 feet
Normal Range: 965 miles
Maximum Range: 1,680 miles

Weights
Empty: 4,732 pounds
Gross: 6,321 pounds
Maximum Take-off: 7,159 pounds

Dimensions
Wingspan: 35 feet 0 inches
Length: 26 feet 4 inches
Height: 12 feet 1 inches
Wing Area: 209 square feet

Armament
4 X 0.50 inch machine guns, two in the upper fuselage and two in the wings

This new site is being updated regularly and it will be much improved before too long. Please be patient, give it time, and check back regularly. Opportunities for community collaboration are in the works for a little further down the road.