Although designed and built for the US Navy, the F2A fought in only one major US engagement, the battle of Midway, in which F2A pilots managed to shoot down a number of Japanese fighters. Soon replaced by the navy, the F2A was exported to Britain, where it was nicknamed the ‘Buffalo’ thanks to its stubby appearance. The British sent most of these fighters to the Far East where they were used in the defence of Singapore and Malaya.

It was in the Winter War, however, that the F2A truly found a home. Calling the plane simply the Brewster, the Finnish flew it against the invading Russians. Overall 37 Finns achieved ace status flying the Brewster, and it was the Finnish fighter of choice until succeeded by the Bf 109 in 1943.

Contents:

* Chapter 1 - The Peanut Special

Brief technical description of the development of the F-2A and its selection

* fielding by US Navy.

Initial carrier-borne service with US Navy and use pre war by a number of future leading US aces.

Selection by some European nations & subsequent adoption by Britain.

Sale of Brewster 239s to Finland and delivery

* Chapter 2 - An Unloved Fighter

Service with the first Eagle squadron in England. Deployment and operational use with the Royal Navy in Egypt and Crete.

Fielding by the RAF for the air defence in the Far East and Burma

* Chapter 3 - Finnish Triumph

Service with the Finnish Air Force against the Soviets

* Chapter 4 - The Rising Sun

RAF service in Malaya against the Japanese.

Neth EIAF service use against Japanese.

RAF service in Burma against the Japanese & use in India after retreat.

Wartime USMC service – only action during Battle of Midway (last action by Buffalo

* F2A against Japanese)

* Chapter 5 - Epilogue

Brewster 239’s final victory and valediction to include use in US as fighter trainer flown by many future aces, or by aces as instructors

* Appendices

A) USN

* USMC Aces, including those who flew, but did not claim on the F-2A

B) Commonwealth Buffalo Aces, and Aces who made some claims on them

C) Finnish Brewster 239 Aces, and Aces who made some claims on them

D) Commonwealth Aces who flew, but did not claim, (including non-ace pilots with 5+ Buffalo claims)