F2A-3

F2A-3

F4F-3

F2A-3

F4F-3

USA

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
2.7	2.3	2.3

Class:

Fighter

Naval aircraft

Research:7 900

Purchase:10 000

Show in game

Description

The F2A-3 Buffalo is a Rank II American fighter with a battle rating of 2.7 (AB) and 2.3 (RB/SB). It was in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.29.

The F2A-3 Buffalo gives pilots the first real taste of typical American fighters in War Thunder- a lumbering, well-armored beast of a fighter that is well armed and has decent performance capabilities. Indeed, the second Buffalo in War Thunder is a heavy aircraft for its rank, signifying that its turning ability is underwhelming against the sharp turners it meets, especially regarding its relatively low BR- it will face low-rank Zeroes as well as more nimble German Bf 109's. Due to its 4 machine guns the F2A-3 Buffalo is not very good in dogfight with British or German aircraft.

General info

Flight Performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Maximum speed, maneuverability, speed and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 4,492 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
494	477	10,424	18.9	19.3	11.3	13.1	200
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 4,492 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
547	518	10,424	16.4	17.6	23.9	16.4	200

Details

Features
Combat flap	Take-off flap	Landing flap	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	✓	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
761	720	460	~18	~7

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 465	< 400	< 500	> 250

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
700 m	1,010 hp	1,192 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
3,700 m	930 hp	1,097 hp

Survivability and armour

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The F2A-3 is armed with:

• 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine gun, nose-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)
• 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine gun, nose-mounted (400 rpg = 800 total)

Suspended armament

The F2A-3 can be configured for:

• Without load
• 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (200 lb total)

Usage in battles

The characteristics of the F2A-3 means that its pilots shouldn't try to turn-fight their opponents and that they should also strictly maintain their energy. However, this weight and energy retention ability means that any Buffalo pilot that cares to climb high- 3,000-4,000 m - will be able to combat opponents with relative ease. However, they should be wary of adept climbers (such as Bf 109s and the US's own P-47, at least in Arcade) as they are more than a match for the F2A's climb rate. In a dive, the Buffalo can rapidly catch up to virtually anything it faces, and, when it does, a battery of 4 x .50 calibre machine guns will make short work of any target, save well-armoured bombers such as the B-25 or Ju 88, which an F2A pilot will probably rarely meet.

Discipline is a vital trait needed to master this plane. If you are used to simply engaging with the first opponent you find and turn-fighting, the F2A is not for you, as is much of the US fighter line. The recommended tactic to use with the F2A is Boom & Zoom. At the beginning of the battle, it is vital to climbing- not climbing reduces your energy capabilities drastically due to the low-level flight speed of the F2A- climbing significantly exacerbates performance of the F2A due to its weight and diving capabilities. After attempting a diving engagement on an enemy, whether successful or not, one should always pull out of the engagement shortly after the first attacking pass, as not to waste speed and/or altitude (a.k.a. energy).

Four M2 Browning .50 MGs are plenty for a 2.7 BR plane- the heavy bullets rip through almost all fighters at this rank. Omni and Stealth rounds are the most effective belts- the Stealth being especially effective due to the M8 API bullets which allow F2A pilots to easily set your opponents afire. Against bombers, the capabilities of the M2s are greatly reduced- aiming for engines is the most effective way to combat a bomber. You should always use the boom and zoom tactic as it suites well for Japanese fighters at its rank. However, Japanese fighters will out turn you.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Separate	Not ontrollable	Not controllable

Modules

For firepower modules, outside of upgrades for the machine guns, the unlock of the module Mk.41 will allow the F2A-3 to mount two 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs.

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair	Radiator		Offensive 12 mm
II		Compressor	Airframe	New 12 mm MGs
III	Wings Repair	Engine		Mk.41
IV		Engine Injection	Cover

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Good dive speed and energy retention
• Highly maneuverable, very good in dog fights
• Great stealth armament. It takes time to get used stealth ammo, but once you learn its ballistics, F2A-3 become deadly machine.
• Tailhook for carrier landings

Cons:

• Poor acceleration
• Vulnerable fuel tanks (very prone to explosions)
• Poor level flight speed
• Engine overheats quickly. Loses lots of power due to minor damage or if left unchecked
• No armor to protect pilot; avoid any kind of head-ons or pursuit of heavy armored planes with good defensive armament like Il-2 or BV 238

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
• other literature.