Canadian Warplanes 3: Brewster Buffalo

Brewster Buffalo

(IWM Photo. K 1228)

Twelve Brewster Buffalo Mark Is of No. 243 Squadron RAF, based at Kallang, Singapore, in flight over the Malayan jungle in in formations of three, accompanied by a Bristol Blenheim Mark IV of No, 34 Squadron RAF (lower right), based at Tengah.

(IWM Photo, E (MOS) 218)

Brewster Buffalo Mark I, AS426, on the ground with engine running at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, during a display of new aircraft types acquired from the USA. AS426 was one of 33 aircraft from a Belgian contract, taken over by the British Government, following the German invasion, most of which were passed to the Fleet Air Arm.

(IWM Photo, CF 766)

Brewster Buffalo Mk. Is of No. 453 Squadron RAAF lined up at RAF Sembawang, Singapore, in Nov 1941. Buffalo (Serial No. AN185), coded TD-V, was flown by Flt Lt Doug Vanderfield, who shot down three Japanese bombers (two Ki-48s and one Ki-51) over Butterworth, Penang on 13 Dec 1941, while his undercarriage was still down. The Buffalos are on parade on the occasion of an inspection by Air Vice Marshal C W H Pulford, Air Officer Commanding Royal Air Force Far East.

(IWM Photo, CF 758)

Brewster Buffalo (Serial No. AN180), coded GA-B, No. 21 Squadron RAAF, lined up at Sembawang, Singapore, on the occasion of an inspection by Air Vice Marshal C W H Pulford, Air Officer Commanding Royal Air Force Far East, 1941.

(FAA Photo)

Brewster Buffalo (Serial No. W8140).

None were on the RCAF establishment, but a few were flown by RCAF pilots serving with the RAF in the Far East during the Second World War.

The Brewster F2A Buffalo is an American fighter aircraft which saw service early in the Second World War. Designed and built by the Brewster Aeronautical Corporation, it was one of the first U.S. monoplanes with an arrestor hook and other modifications for aircraft carriers. The Buffalo won a competition against the Grumman F4F Wildcat in 1939 to become the U.S. Navy's first monoplane fighter aircraft. Although superior to the Grumman F3F biplane it replaced, and the early F4Fs, the Buffalo was largely obsolete when the United States entered the war, being unstable and overweight, especially when compared to the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero.

Several nations, including Finland, Belgium, Britain and the Netherlands, ordered the Buffalo. The Finns were the most successful with their Buffalos, flying them in combat against early Soviet fighters with excellent results. During the Continuation War of 1941–1944, the B-239s (de-navalized F2A-1s) operated by the Finnish Air Force proved capable of engaging and destroying most types of Soviet fighter aircraft operating against Finland at that time, and claimed in the first phase of that conflict 32 Soviet aircraft shot down for every B-239 lost, producing 36 Buffalo "aces".

In December 1941, Buffalos operated by both British Commonwealth (B-339E) and Dutch (B-339C/D) air forces in South East Asia suffered severe losses in combat against the Japanese Navy's A6M Zero and the Japanese Army's Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar". The British attempted to lighten their Buffalos by removing ammunition and fuel and installing lighter guns to improve performance, but it made little difference. After the first few engagements, the Dutch halved the fuel and ammunition load in the wings, which allowed their Buffalos (and their Hurricanes) to stay with the Oscars in turns. The Buffalo was built in three variants for the U.S. Navy: the F2A-1, F2A-2 and F2A-3. (In foreign service, with lower horsepower engines, these types were designated B-239, B-339, and B-339-23 respectively.) The F2A-3 variant saw action with United States Marine Corps (USMC) squadrons at the Battle of Midway. (Wikipedia)

(RAF Photo)

Brewster Buffalo (Serial No. AS417), one of 38 originally intended for Belgium Later Operated by FAA No. 759 Squadron.

(RAF Photo)

Brewster Buffalo (Serial No. AS412), 1940.

(RAF Photo)

Brewster Buffalo (Serial No. AS412), 1940.

(RAF Photo)

Brewster Buffalo (Serial No. AS412), 1940.

(RAF Photo)

Brewster Buffalo (Serial No. W8142), coded WP-N, No. 243 Sqn RAF, being rolled by it's groundcrew into position on the airfield at Kallang, Singapore. April 1941.Facing a shortage of combat aircraft inJanuary 1940, the British Purchasing Commission was established to acquire U.S.aircraft that would help supplement domestic production. Among the U.S. fighteraircraft that caught the Commission's attention was the Brewster. The remaining32 B-339 aircraft ordered by the Belgians, suspended at the fall of France,were passed on to the United Kingdom. Appraisal by Royal Air Force acceptancepersonnel criticized it on numerous points including inadequate armament andlack of pilot armor, poor high-altitude performance, engine overheating,maintenance issues, and cockpit controls, while it was praised for itshandling, roomy cockpit, and visibility. With a top speed of about 323 mph (520km/h) at 21,000 ft (6,400 m), but with fuel starvation issues over 15,000 ft(4,600 m), it was considered unfit for duty in western Europe. Stilldesperately in need of fighter aircraft in the Pacific and Asia for British andCommonwealth air forces, the UK ordered an additional 170 aircraft under thetype specification B-339E. Delivery and assembly of the Buffalos in Singaporetook place in the spring of 1941.The first Buffalo units (Nos 67 and 243Squadron RAF) were formed at RAF Kallang in March 1941.
The B-339E, or Brewster Buffalo Mk I as it was designated in British service,was initially intended to be fitted with an export-approved Wright R-1820-G-105Cyclone engine with a 1,000 hp (745.7 kW) (peak takeoff) engine. The Brewsteraircraft delivered to British and Commonwealth air forces were significantlyaltered from the B-339 type sold to the Belgium and French forces in accordancewith their purchase order. The Brewster factory removed the Navy life raftcontainer and arrestor hook, while adding many new items of equipment,including a British Mk III reflector gun sight, a gun camera, a larger fixedpneumatic tire tail wheel, fire extinguisher, engine shutters, a largerbattery, and reinforced armor plating and armored glass behind the canopywindshield.
The Brewster Model B-339E, as modified and supplied to Great Britain wasdistinctly inferior in performance to the F2A-2 (Model B-339) from the originalorder. It had a less powerful (1,000 hp (745.7 kW)) engine compared to theF2A-2's 1,200 hp (890 kW) Cyclone yet was substantially heavier due to all ofthe additional modifications by some 900 lb (410 kg). The semi-retractable tailwheel had been exchanged for a larger fixed model, which was also lessaerodynamic. Top speed was reduced from 323 to 313 mph (520 to 504 km/h) atcombat altitudes.
In its original form, the B-339 had a theoretical maximum speed of 323 mph (520km/h) at a rather unrealistic 21,000 ft (6,400 m), but fuel starvation problemsand poor supercharger performance at higher altitudes meant that this figurewas never achieved in combat; the B-339E was no different in this regard. Itsmaneuverability was severely impaired (the aircraft was unable to performloops), and initial rate of climb was reduced to 2,300 ft/min (700 m/min). TheWright Cyclone 1890-G-105 engine designated for use in the Buffalo Mk I was inshort supply; many aircraft were fitted with secondhand Wright engines sourcedfrom Douglas DC-3 airliners and rebuilt to G105 or G102A specifications byWright.[48] In service, some effort was made by at least one Brewster squadronto improve the type's sluggish performance; a few aircraft were lightened bysome 1,000 lb (450 kg) by removing armor plate, armored windshields, radios,gun camera, and all other unnecessary equipment, and by replacing the .50 in(12.7 mm) machine guns with .303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns. The fuselage tankswere filled with a minimum of fuel, and run on high-octane aviation petrolwhere available. At Alor Star airfield in Malaya, the Japanese captured over1,000 barrels (160 m3) of high-octane aviation petrol from British forces,which they promptly used in their own fighter aircraft.
Many of the pilots assigned the Buffalo lacked adequate training and experiencein the type. A total of 20 of the original 169 Buffalos were lost in trainingaccidents during 1941. By December 1941, approximately 150 Buffalo B-339Eaircraft made up the bulk of the British fighter defenses of Burma, Malaya andSingapore. The two RAAF, two RAF, and one RNZAF squadrons, during December 1941– January 1942, were beset with numerous problems,[56] including poorly builtand ill-equipped aircraft. Aviation historian Dan Ford characterized it as,"The performance... was pathetic." Inadequate spare parts and supportstaff, airfields that were difficult to defend against air attack, lack of aclear and coherent command structure, a Japanese spy in the Army air liaisonstaff, antagonism between RAF and RAAF squadrons and personnel, andinexperienced pilots lacking appropriate training would lead to disaster.Although the Mk I had .50-inch guns, many aircraft were equipped with .303Browning mounts and electric firing solenoids, which tended to fail in service.Moreover, according to Flight Lieutenant Mowbray Garden of 243 Squadron RAF,the Buffalos were supplied with only armour-piercing ammunition and noincendiary;[49] Japanese aircraft lacked armor and self-sealing fuel tanks inthe early years of the war, a fact unknown to the Allies at the time.
When the Japanese invaded northern Malaya on 8 December 1941, the B-339Einitially performed adequately. Against the Nakajima Ki-27 "Nate",the overloaded Brewsters could at least hold their own if given time to get toaltitude, and at first achieved a respectable number of kills. However, theappearance of ever greater numbers of Japanese fighters, including markedlysuperior types such as the Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar" soon overwhelmedthe Buffalo pilots, both in the air and on the ground. Another significantfactor was the Brewster engine's tendency to overheat in the tropical climate,which caused oil to spray over the windscreen, usually forcing an abortedmission and greatly complicating attempts to intercept and destroy enemyaircraft. In the end, more than 60 Buffalo Mk I (B-339E) aircraft were shotdown in combat, 40 destroyed on the ground, and approximately 20 more destroyedin accidents. Only about 20 Buffalos survived to reach India or the Dutch EastIndies. The last airworthy Buffalo in Singapore flew out on 10 February, fivedays before the island fell.
It is not entirely clear how many Japanese aircraft the Buffalo squadrons shotdown, although RAAF pilots alone managed to shoot down at least 20.[60] Eightywere claimed in total, a ratio of kills to losses of just 1.3 to 1.Additionally, most of the Japanese aircraft shot down by the Buffalos werebombers. The Hawker Hurricane, which fought in Singapore alongside the Buffalofrom 20 January, also suffered severe losses from ground attack; most weredestroyed. The Fleet Air Arm also used the Buffalo in the Mediterranean in theBattle of Crete in early 1941.
The Brewster Mark I produced four Commonwealth aces: Geoff Fisken, MauriceHolder, A. W. B. (Alf) Clare and R. D. (Doug) Vanderfield. New ZealanderFisken, the top-scoring pilot, later flew RNZAF P-40s and became thehighest-scoring Commonwealth pilot within the Pacific theatre. (Wikipedia)

(RAF Photo)

Brewster Buffalo, RAF.

Facing a shortage of combat aircraft in January 1940, the British government established the British Purchasing Commission to acquire U.S. aircraft that would help supplement domestic production. Among the U.S. fighter aircraft that caught the Commission’s attention was the Brewster. The remaining 32 B-339 aircraft ordered by the Belgians, suspended at the fall of France, were passed on to the United Kingdom. Appraisal by Royal Air Force acceptance personnel criticized it on numerous points including inadequate armament and lack of pilot armour, poor high-altitude performance, engine overheating, maintenance issues, and cockpit controls, while it was praised for its handling, roomy cockpit, and visibility. With a top speed of about 323 mph (520 km/h) at 21,000 ft (6,400 m), but with fuel starvation issues over 15,000 ft (4,600 m), it was considered unfit for duty in western Europe. Still desperately in need of fighter aircraft in the Pacific and Asia for British and Commonwealth air forces, the UK ordered an additional 170 aircraft.

In December 1941, Buffalos operated by both British Commonwealth (B-339E) and Dutch (B-339C/D) air forces in South East Asia suffered severe losses in combat against the Japanese Navy’s Mitsubishi A6M Zero and the Japanese Army’s Nakajima Ki-43 “Oscar”. The British attempted to lighten their Buffalos by removing ammunition and fuel and installing lighter guns to improve performance, but it made little difference.

No. 67 Squadron RAF flew Brewster Buffalos in defence of Burma during the early stages of the Pacific War.

On 12 March 1941, No.243 reformed at Kallang as a fighter squadron for the defence of Singapore. The shortcomings of its Brewster Buffaloes were soon apparent and when Japanese fighters came within range, the squadron suffered heavy losses and by the end of January 1942 was operating its surviving aircraft as part of a mixed force, the other Buffalo squadrons being in a similar state. Its identity was gradually lost to the evacuation of redundant personnel and by the time all fighters were withdrawn from the Singapore airfields, it no longer existed as a unit, having been disbanded on 20 January 1942.

(IWM Photo E(MOS) 218)

Brewster Buffalo (Serial No. AS426), operated by FAA No. 711 Squadron.

(FAA Photo)

Brewster Buffalo (Serial No. AS417), operated by FAA No. 759 Squadron.

Japanese invasion of Burma

No. 67 Squadron RAF was originally formed in Singapore before theirredeployment to Burma in October 1941. They were equipped with thirty Buffalosinherited from 60 Squadron RAF at Mingaladon; the aircraft they received inSingapore were passed on to 488 Squadron RNZAF.[63] They were joined by CurtissP-40 fighters of the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers). AVG crews wereinitially impressed with the Buffalo, some even urging General Claire Chennaultto trade a squadron of P-40s for Buffalos. In response, Chennault arranged amock dogfight between both fighters, with 1st Lieutenant Erik Shilling flyingthe P-40 and Squadron Leader Jack Brandt flying the Buffalo. Over theirtraining base in Toungoo, the P-40 proved to be superior to the Buffalo. WhenShilling and Brandt met again fifty years later, the RAF pilot said, "howI wish I could have swapped my aircraft for yours".
The squadron first saw action on 23 December 1941, when 15 Buffalos intercepted a formation of 42 Ki-21 heavy bombers, 27 Ki-30 light bombers and 30 Ki-27fighters during a daylight raid on Rangoon. Together with twelve P-40s, theyclaimed 13 bombers destroyed and seven probable; four P-40s including two pilots were lost while all the Buffalos returned safely. Nevertheless, theJapanese succeeded in bombing Rangoon, its port facilities and RAF Mingaladon, inflicting extensive damage and casualties.
The Buffalos and P-40s carried out air defenses over Rangoon and Mingaladon aswell as strafing missions on Japanese airfields. Like Malaya and Singapore,lack of effective early warning systems greatly hampered British and AVGefforts to defend Burma from air raids. Reports of Japanese aircraft performance from the Malayan Campaign prompted Buffalo pilots in Burma to employ different tactics; according to Flight Sergeant Vic Bargh, "come infrom above, or at the same level at the very least, then dive away before they got onto you, because if they did get onto you, well, you were shot down". One of the Buffalo's final victories of the Burma Campaign was claimed by Bargh; he found the wreckage of the bomber and had his picture taken with it as proof.
The IJAAF secured air superiority over Rangoon by early February 1942, and with the situation on the ground rapidly deteriorating, No. 67 Squadron withdrew north to Toungoo. On 13 February, the squadron moved further north to Magwe with only eight Buffalos, where they continued to carry out reconnaissance flights as well as escorting Westland Lysanders on ground attack missions. The Buffalo flew its last combat sortie with the RAF on 5 March, escorting Hawker Hurricanes and Bristol Blenheims for an attack on a Japanese airbase in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Only six Buffalos remained when the squadron withdrew to Calcutta, India on 11 March to re-equip with Hurricanes. They were swiftly relegated to training duties, though two were briefly acquired by No. 146 Squadron RAF in early April, one of which was regularly flown by Squadron Leader Count Manfred Czernin.  No. 67 Squadron claimed 27 Japanese aircraft destroyed; eight Buffalos were shot down and eight pilots were killed. For their actions, Squadron Leader Jack Brandtand Flight Lieutenant Colin Pinckney were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (the latter posthumously), while Sergeant Gordon Williams received the Distinguished Flying Medal. (Wikipedia)