Slideshow: American air arsenal of 1941

Grumman F3F Gulfhawk

Naval and Marine aviators flew the Gulfhawk — America’s last biplane fighter — from 1936 to the end of 1941. Featuring a 950-horsepower, Wright R-1820-22 “Cyclone”engine, the F3F could reach speeds of 264 m.p.h. and had a 950-mile range. By removing the top wing and making a few other modifications, Grumman turned the Gulfhawk design into the F4F Wildcat. Although it never saw combat, the biplanes were still used as trainers until 1943.