Online Library of Selected Images:
U.S. NAVY AIRCRAFT - 1922-1962 DESIGNATION SYSTEM

Brewster F2A Fighters
1940 Experimental Camouflage

Some of Fighting Squadron Three's F2A-1s were experimentally painted in disruptive camouflage in mid-1940. These designs prepared by McClelland Barclay, a Naval Reserve officer and noted artist, were evaluated under operational conditions. The tests showed that pattern camouflage was of little if any use for Navy combat aircraft.

This page features views of Brewster F2A fighters wearing experimental camouflage schemes tested in 1940.

For other photographs of Navy planes painted in 1940 experimental camouflage, see:

For more views of F2A aircraft, see:

Photo #: NH 96143 Brewster F2A-1 fighter, of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) At Naval Air Station, North Island, California, 9 September 1940. It is painted in McClelland Barclay experimental camouflage design number 1. Note gun camera mounted on the starboard fuselage, forward. Another F2A-1 of the same squadron is at left, in McClelland Barclay experimental camouflage design number 2. Others are in the right background, uncamouflaged. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 590 pixels
Photo #: NH 96144 Brewster F2A-1 fighter, of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) At Naval Air Station, North Island, California, 9 September 1940. It is painted in McClelland Barclay experimental camouflage design number 1. A Vought O3U observation plane is partially visible at the right. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 580 pixels
Photo #: NH 96145 Brewster F2A-1 fighter, of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) Head-on view, taken at Naval Air Station, North Island, California, 9 September 1940. The plane is painted in McClelland Barclay experimental camouflage design number 1. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 55KB; 740 x 590 pixels
Photo #: NH 96146 Brewster F2A-1 fighter, of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) At Naval Air Station, North Island, California, 9 September 1940. The plane is painted in McClelland Barclay experimental camouflage design number 2. Note gun camera mounted on the starboard side of the fuselage, forward. Grumman F2F-1 fighters of Fighting Squadron Two (VF-2) are in the background. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 71KB; 740 x 595 pixels
Photo #: NH 96147 Brewster F2A-1 fighter, of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) Head-on view, taken at Naval Air Station, North Island, California, 9 September 1940. The plane is painted in McClelland Barclay experimental camouflage design number 2. Note gun camera mounted on the right side of the fuselage. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 53KB; 740 x 600 pixels
Photo #: NH 96148 Brewster F2A-1 fighter, of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) At Naval Air Station, North Island, California, 9 September 1940. The plane is painted in McClelland Barclay experimental camouflage design number 2. A Curtiss SOC "flag plane" is in the in the left center background. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 600 pixels

For other photographs of Navy planes painted in 1940 experimental camouflage, see:

For more views of F2A aircraft, see:

For higher resolution images see: Obtaining Photographic Reproductions

To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.