Brewster Buffalo

The model represents an aircraft flown by Lt. Jimmy Thach commander of VF-3, flying from the USS Saratoga in 1940. Thach was known for developing a fighter combat tactic known as the Thach Weave. This tactic enabled American fighter aircraft to hold their own against more maneuverable aircraft like the A6M Zero. His combat tactic is still taught today although its now called the Beam Defense Position.

This is an old matchbox kit that builds into the export version of the Brewster Buffalo called the B-339 used by British and Dutch forces in the Far East. Its not truly accurate for Thach's plane as the kit is missing a lower window to aid in carrier landings and it has a fixed rear landing gear (although some were fitted to USN aircraft) instead of a retractable one. I used StarFighter decals to model Thach's aircraft and they laid down perfectly on the model.