Hobby Master 1/48 Brewster Buffalo VMF-221 Midway Aircraft Model (HA7007)

Hobby Master 1/48 Brewster Buffalo VMF-221 Midway Aircraft Model (HA7007) | Antics Online

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Hobby Master 1/48 Brewster Buffalo VMF-221 Midway Aircraft Model (HA7007)

The stubby Brewster Bufalo was the US Navys' first mono-wing aircraft. The design was rapidly rendered obsolete, being totally outclassed by German and Japanese carrier based aircraft. However in the hands of a pilot who understood its' ability to fly at a speed too slow for the opposing fighters to engage easily the Buffalo was a potent weapon.

This model is painted in the colours of USN squadron VMF-221, as flown by Captain William C Humberd at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Captain Humberd received the Navy Cross for his actions, claiming one Zero and one Kate.

Features an opening cockpit canopy, movable rudder and retractable undercarriage plus optional bombs and pilot figure.

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 sub-assemblies to Chance-Vought and Grumman. The Brewster Engineers wanted bigger and better 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. Though not highly regarded the Brewster F2A was a capable aircraft when in the hands of a skilled pilot. The Finnish Air Force flew them against Stalin’s aircraft and achieved a 3:1 kill ratio. In the Pacific at Midway the F2As and F4Fs were decimated by the superior numbers of Japanese planes and their veteran pilots but the Brewster proved it was capable when mated with the right pilot. On June 4 1942, while attacking a Japanese bomber that was approaching Midway VMF-221 F2A-3 pilot Captain William Humberd, USMC, was jumped by some Zeroes. He quickly put the Brewster into a dive to sea level and with the dive speed he out distanced his attackers. When Humberd had enough of a lead he turned the aircraft around and went head on with a single Zero. He opened fire with his guns and as he went flying past the Zero he saw it crash into the ocean. VMF-221 “the Fighting Falcons” had 13 of their 26 F2A-3s completely destroyed and 11 of the surviving planes were too damaged to fly. In 1943 they transitioned to the F4U Corsair and in December of the same year they were sent State-side for re-organization.

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