Grumman F3F-1 (oz958)

About this Plan

Grumman F3F-1. US Navy Fighter from 1937 Model Airplane News.

Quote: "A Flying Grumman Fighter. How You Can Build a Model of One of the Latest US Navy Fighters That Is an Excellent Flier By WILLIAM WINTER.

THE Grumman F3F-1 is the latest accepted single-seater of the sturdy Grumman line. Design improvements through two successive models since the F2F-1 have improved the performance. This new machine is one of the foremost fighting planes of the world and because of the excellent combination of structural ruggedness, maneuverability and high speed should prove an awesome foe. The power plant is the well known Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp Junior affording the ship a high speed of at least 250 mph on a total of 650 hp.

The model presents the same pugnacious appearance and stream lines as the full scale plane. The performance for this type of ship is excellent. Needless to say the ability to stand abuse is inherent. In flight its stubbiness and speed are particularly striking. The satisfaction that this model is sure to afford, will amply justify any amount of time and care spent in construction.

Fuselage: The method utilized calls for the use of four master stringers cut from sheet balsa. Trace the side, top and bottom outlines of the fuselage on 1/16 sheet balsa and cut to shape. Mark the positions of the bulkheads on the master stringers. Cut the bulkheads from 1/16 sheet balsa in accordance with the patterns given. The first bulkhead, however, is cut from 3/16 sheet so that it may be curved in to the front as seen on the plan. The No. 8 bulkhead is two ply 1/16 sheet. Cut only the notches for the master stringers marking the others for a later operation.

Cement the bulkheads in place on the side master stringers, starting the operation with the widest two. When dry, cement the bottom and top master stringers in place taking care that the assembly is aligned as required. Bend the rear hook to shape from .028 wire and insert in the two ply No. 8 bulkhead. Cement the 1/16 sq auxiliary stringers in place cutting the notches already marked as the work progresses.

The cockpit cutout is formed by bending 1/32 sheet balsa. Mark the outline and cut out when dry. Cut the cockpit former from 1/16 sheet and cement in place. Cut two ribs similar to the main wing rib and glue one to the right hand bulkhead fillet extensions and the other to the left hand. Carve the two small fillet blocks, visible on the three main views, from soft balsa and cement in position having first provided the 1/32 sheet mounting as required between the second and third bulkheads. The fillet sheet is also 1/16 sheet balsa. Its pattern may be obtained from the top view. Note that the center section strut joint at the fuselage is reenforced with sheet balsa. The landing gear joint is also strengthened in like manner.

To cover use narrow strips of tissue running the full length of the fuselage. Trim surplus paper after each strip has been attached. The finished covering is evenly sprayed and doped.

Landing Gear: The two balsa triangles are cut from 1/8 sheet and streamlined as detailed. The oleo struts are built up as detailed. Note the angles at which the bamboo pegs are inserted in the balsa portion of these struts. The axles are V-shaped and are formed from .028 wire. The fuselage ends of the axles are inserted and glued in the No.2 and No.3 bulkheads. The wheels, 1-7/8 in diameter, should be the heaviest obtainable to aid in the balancing of the ship. The 3/8 tail wheel is mounted on an .014 wire axle attached to the fuselage structure as seen on the side view.

Tail Assembly: The tail block is shaped from soft balsa and is cemented permanently in place. The top of the block is rounded to 3/16 width to support the rudder. The streamlined housing for the landing hook is 3/16 sheet. The spars of both the stabilizer halves and the rudder are cut from 1/16 x 3/16 balsa. The cross pieces with the exception of the innermost, which are 1/16 x 3/16 are 1/32x 3/16. The edges of all sections are bent to the required shapes from 1/16 sq bamboo.

To cover use a separate piece of tissue for each side of both stabilizer halves and for the rudder. Attach the paper at the edges only. Spray the semifinished covering with water and pin the sections to the bench until dry to prevent warping..."

Supplementary file notes

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