RAF-in-Combat

Allied Wings No. 6: Grumman FF

by  Phil H. Listemann Color Artwork by Malcolm Laird

Reviewed By  Perry Downen, IPMS# 44000

MSRP: $18.00 (13.50 euros) ISBN: 978-2-9532544-0-2 Web Site: www.raf-in-combat.com The Grumman FF-1 is not very well known to say the least. However, it does hold a distinctive place in Grumman history. Had it not been for the US Navy's acceptance of this first Grumman shipboard fighter in 1932 we might not have had that long line of wonderful Grumman "cat" fighters through the years. The FF-1 also is significant in US Naval history. It is the first operational USN aircraft with fully retractable main landing gear. In all, Grumman produced only 28 of the two-seat shipboard fighters for the USN. Only one squadron, VF-5B, was equipped with the FF-1 serving aboard the USS Lexington and the USS Ranger. These aircraft were in front line service from 1933 until April 1936 after which the USN reassigned them to Naval Reserve units across the U.S. The USN struck the last of the FF's from its records on July 31, 1942. This book measures 6-3/4" X 9-3/4" and contains 36 pages. Mr. Listemann gives us the circumstances surrounding the birth of the FF-1 and the beginning of a dynasty. Supplementing the text is a table with the plane's technical data. The author covers the plane's operational history and describes its second line duties after active service. Many black and white photographs are included with notes describing each picture. There are three pages of photographs with enough detail pictures to constitute a "walk around." I particularly like Mr. Laird's seven pages of color drawings depicting the aircraft as it served with VF-5B and several others as they served in the Naval Reserve units. He has also provided a page depicting the 1934 FF-1 VF-5B section colors. One feature of this book I found very interesting. The author has included the service record of all 28 aircraft. This information includes the delivery date, the aircraft's various assignments, and conversion date to FF-2 specifications. Of particular interest are the official reports of the 11 aircraft involved in accidents. The author has highlighted these in red type. Most, but not all, involved fatalities. I found this book to be extremely interesting having read it in one sitting. The book is well laid out and well written. The color drawings made me want to break out my stashed F3F-2. The modeler will find the drawings and the detail photographs very helpful - if you can find a Grumman FF-1 kit. I easily recommend this book to the modeler, historian, and aviation enthusiasts alike.

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