Why The Brewster Buffalo Became a Pilot's Worst Nightmare

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Why The Brewster Buffalo Became a Pilot's Worst Nightmare

In the late 1930s, the United States Navy wanted a modern carrier-based fighter to replace older biplanes. A company called Brewster Aeronautical Corporation won the contract, creating what would be called the Brewster Buffalo. At first glance, it seemed promising. The design included a monoplane layout, an enclosed cockpit, retractable landing gear, and decent weapons for the time. But when it began real combat, the Buffalo’s weaknesses quickly…