Brewster F2A Buffalo Fighter: F2A-1, F2A-2, F2A-3 (TopDrawings)

The Brewster factory produced the first batch of F2A-1 Buffalos picked by the US Navy between May and December 1939, which were powered by Wright 1820-34 Cyclone engines. These F2A-1s differed from the XF2A-1 prototype in having enlarged canopies. Additionally, they were equipped with telescope sights, and their antenna masts were moved from the left to the right side of the upper fuselage in front of the cockpit. Furthermore, the landing light was relocated from the bottom left engine cowling to the left wing underside, and the wing tips were shortened. The lower part of the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer also received a profile that extended further up to the back frame of the cockpit.

The F2A-2 version received a new Wright R-1820-40 engine, which increased the weight of the front part of the plane. To maintain the center of gravity, the nose part was shortened by 12 cm. The larger engine also demanded the enlargement and redesign of the cowling. Additionally, the Hamilton Standard propeller was replaced by a Curtiss Electric model, and the exhausts were moved from the lower part of the engine masks to the wing level. The armament was unified and consisted of four .50 cal Browning M2 machine guns, and 50 kg bomb racks were installed.

The Model 339B ordered by Belgium had the catapult mountings, arresting hook, radio, and antennas removed. It was powered by the Wright R-1820-G105 engine. The removal of the hook necessitated the modification of the tail cone, which slightly lengthened the plane.

The F2A-3, the last serial version of the Buffalo, had another modification in the nose area. It had the same engine as its predecessor and a propeller without the nose-cap. The nose of the fighter was lengthened by 25 cm, and it also received a new fuel tank that increased the overall capacity to 1100 liters.

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