The Brewster F2A Buffalo was an American fighter aircraft which saw limited service during World War II. In 1939, the F2A became the first monoplane fighter aircraft used by the United States Navy. The Buffalo had poor manoeuvrability and speed compared to the Japanese Zero, and the F2A was derided by US Marine Corps pilots as a "flying coffin". In the hands of the Finns however, the Buffalo proved capable of engaging and destroying most types of Soviet fighter aircraft during the Continuation War of 1941–1944.
Brewster Buffalo in Days of Infamy[]
The Buffalo fighter equipped all Allied powers in the Pacific during World War II. During the Japanese invasion of Hawaii, Buffaloes were launched from a USN carrier in an attempt to strike at the Japanese air power. Commander Mitsuo Fuchida found that the Buffalo couldn't climb and dive with the Zero, nor could they turn as tightly. He scoffed at the planes after all were shot down, making comparisons of westerners claiming that Japanese planes were "junk".
The Buffaloes that equipped Allied air forces proved to be no match for the Zero, and they were chewed up along nearly every front by the Japanese fighter.
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