Slideshow: American air arsenal of 1941

Brewster F2A Buffalo

The Buffalo beat out an early version of the F4F Wildcat in 1939 to replace the F3F, but disappointing performance once it joined the fleet and an improved Wildcat spelled the end of the F2A’s chances as the Navy’s next carrier fighter. Although some Marine aviators were still flying F2As as late as the Battle of Midway, most of the Buffaloes were sent to foreign air forces. 40 Buffalo pilots would become aces during World War II, a fact made even more remarkable considering only 509 of these planes were produced.