Allied Wings 15
Grumman SF

by Phil H. Listemann

Philedition

Summary:
Publisher, Title and ISBN:	Philedition Allied Wings 15 Grumman SF by Phil Listemann
Media:	A4 soft-cover format; 22 pages
Price	Available online from www.raf-in-combat.com and selected retailers
Review Type	First Read
Advantages	Interesting and useful summary of the Grumman SF-1.
Disadvantages
Conclusion	Recommended for anyone with an interest in the Grumman SF-1

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

Allied Wings s a series of books produced by Phil Listemann and printed in France.

The series basically provides a thumbnail illustration of specific aircraft types that were manufactured in either Britain or the United States and operated by the Royal Air Force and other air forces allied to them.

To date, there are 16 titles in the series:

• AW 01: Supermarine Spitfire XII

• AW02: Martin Marauder Mk.I

• AW03: Northrop BT-1

• AW04: Westland Whirlwind Mk.I

• AW05: Douglas Dauntless in RNZAF service

• AW06: Grumman FF

• AW07: Boeing Fortress Mk.I

• AW08: Boulton Paul Defiant - Pt.1

• AW09: North American B-25 Mitchell in RAAF service

• AW10: Hawker Fury - Pt.1

• AW11: Curtiss F11C/BFC & BF2C

• AW12: Curtiss SB2C Helldiver in French service

• AW13: Bristol Brigand

• AW14: Douglas Skyraider in French service

• AW15: Grumman SF

• AW16: Short Singapore Mk.III

Allied Wings Number 15 features the Grumman SF-1.   The SF-1 (Scout-Grumman – 1) was a portly two-seat radial engine powered biplane with a retractable undercarriage and an enclosed cockpit.  In total, 43 of them were produced by the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation in 1932.   

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Thumbnail panels:

Its role was that of “scout” which was the term used at the time by the United States Navy to describe the reconnaissance and patrol role. The SF-1 was a derivative of Grumman’s FF (Fighter-Grumman) and had a short lived operational life being operated by a single squadron - VS-3B aboard the USS Lexington between June 1934 and December 1935. 

It was also operated by reserve units of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps with the last one being struck from charge in June 1943. Layout is as follows:

• Introduction

• Deliveries and Strength (SF-1)

• Technical Data SF-1

• The Units

• The Register – this section is comprehensive and details the complete history of each airframe.

• Roll of Honour

The book is softbound, comprises 22 pages, and is 210mm x 297 mm in size with 36 black and white images of varying quality.  It also features fourteen colour profiles spread over two centre pages as well as the rear cover.  These profiles show it wearing the bright and colourful markings of the United States Navy’s yellow wing era.

As stated above, a thumbnail portrait only but it does tell you the story of the machine succinctly and provide information on its usage as well as the colour schemes worn by it.

Thanks to Philedition for the review sample