A total of 140 F3Fs were still on squadron strength at the outbreak of hostilities and the rugged little fighters remained in service as combat trainers, until as late as 1943.
The “Flying Barrel” was not to see combat, being superceded by the new generation of monoplane ship-board fighters, the Grumman F4F Wildcat around the time of the attack on Pearl Harbour.
In 1936, a special Grumman F3F-1 was built by the factory for Major Alford “ Al” Williams, head of aviation for Gulf Oil Company and well-known aerobatic display pilot. The aeroplane was flown as a demonstrator for Gulf Oil (and Grumman) and appeared at air-shows and military displays all over the U.S. before WW2.
Called “Gulfhawk II” and powered by a 1000hp version of the Cyclone, the aeroplane displayed its aerobatic capabilities, speed and strength to great effect. So much so that the airframe was not retired until 1948 when Williams flew it on its final flight to Washington, after which it was to take its rightful place in the now Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Gulfhawk II is included in this package and would make an ideal starter for the Reno Races!
The package includes a variety of colourful liveries from pre-war fighter squadrons
Features:
• Authentic cockpit detail includes many bespoke animations and effects.
• Full PBR materials and textures include realistic “pillowing” of metal surfaces.
• Animated authentic U.S. military pilot figure
• Specially animated, realistic undercarriage operation.
• Choice of electric or cartridge start.
• Highly accurate flight dynamics and perfomance based on real flight tests.
• Specially authored WWise Hi-Fidelity sound package.
• Unique code to “iron” out poor simulator tail-dragger performance.
