In early 1940, the British Purchasing Commission ordered a total of 170 Model 339Es in two separate contracts under the British designation Buffalo Mk. I. This was a major turnaround, since as recently as October of 1939 the British Air Ministry had declared the Brewster fighter as unsuitable for RAF use. However, they were deemed suitable for use in the Far East.

The 339E was basically a denavalized variant of the F2A-2, powered by an export-approved Wright R-1820-G105 Cyclone engine of 1100 hp. A number of changes were made to bring the aircraft up to current European combat standards: a British-built Mark III reflector gunsight replaced the ring-and-bead arrangement, armor plate was provided for the pilot, and armored glass was added to the wind screen. The Curtiss Electric cuffed propeller was replaced with a 10-foot one-inch Hamilton Standard propeller. The 339E was the only Buffalo variant to feature an internal gun camera. The small retractable naval-type tail wheel was replaced by a larger fixed tail wheel.

These changes brought the gross weight to 6500 pounds, almost a thousand pounds heavier than the standard F2A-2. The maximum speed was lowered to 330 mph and the rate of climb was lowered to only 2600 feet per minute. In addition, this increased weight raised the wing loading, increased the landing speed, and adversely affected the maneuverability. Another problem was that the Buffalo Mk. I did not use the same fuel line pressurization system as the F2A-2, and fuel starvation problems were often experienced above 18,000 feet.

The Wright Cyclone R-1820-G105 engine installed in the Buffalo Mk. I had been selected in part because there were sufficient numbers of this engine available at the time to meet the first British contract. However, when the second contract was issued, there were not enough new Cyclone engines available, and Brewster was forced to purchase used Cyclone engines from commercial airlines which had been using them to power their Douglas DC-3 airliners. These used engines were returned to Wright, which remanufactured them to -G105 standards.

The first three production Model 339Es were sent to Great Britain in April of 1941 for trials.
Below Four views of the first Brewster B-339E (Buffalo Mk. I), before being shipped to the UK for evaluation




The remaining Buffalos of the British order were shipped directly to the Far East to serve with units in Malaya, Singapore and Burma. The first Buffalos arrived in Singapore in the spring of 1941.
Five Commonwealth squadrons were formed around the Buffalo -- Nos. 67 and 243 Squadrons, RAF; Nos. 21 and 43 Squadrons of the RAAF; and No. 488 Squadron of the RNZAF. No. 67 Squadron was based in Burma and the other four were stationed at bases near Singapore. Each squadron was issued with 15 aircraft. A shortage of pilots prevented the formation of additional squadrons, and many Buffalos were placed in storage. Many of the pilots in the Commonwealth Buffalo squadrons were relatively new and inexperienced, and some 20 Buffalos were lost in training accidents during the autumn of 1941.

War in the Burma/Malaya theater began on December 8, 1941 with a Japanese landing on the Malayan coast. The Brewsters did experience some initial successes against Japanese Army Air Force Ki-27s and Ki-43s, and there were at least three Commonwealth pilots who became aces during this period. However, when the Japanese Navy A6M Reisen (Zero Fighter) appeared, the Buffalo was completely outclassed. The Zero was faster, more maneuverable and had a heavier armament. In an attempt to improve the Buffalo's performance, ground crews removed all unnecessary equipment to lower the weight, sometimes replacing the 0.50-inch machine guns with lighter 0.303-inch guns and reducing the ammunition and fuel load. However, these modifications did not even come close to closing the performance gap between the Buffalo and the Zero.

The situation in Malaya rapidly deteriorated as the Japanese advance gained momentum, and Commonwealth squadrons were forced to withdraw to Singapore Island. Attrition and combat losses took their toll, and by February of 1942 there were only a few airworthy Buffalos left. These were withdrawn to the nearby islands of the Netherlands East Indies. When the British evacuated the aircrews to Australia, at least four Buffalos were turned over to Dutch squadrons.

In Burma, No. 67 Squadron flew alongside the 3rd Squadron, American Volunteer Group (the famous 'Flying Tigers') in the defense of Rangoon. No. 67 Squadron had some initial successes against attacking Japanese bomber formations. However, attrition and the lack of spare parts steadily eroded the squadron's strength, and by the time that Rangoon fell, only six Buffalos were still airworthy. The surviving No. 67 Squadron Buffalos were evacuated to India, along with a few Hawker Hurricanes that had been rushed to Rangoon's defense. Some of the Buffalos that made it to India were taken on strength by No. 146 Squadron, RAF. There are even reports that at least one Buffalo was transferred to the Indian Air Force.

Many official British historical sources blame the loss of Malaya and Singapore largely on the Buffalo's poor performance. However, the picture is not entirely that of an unmitigated disaster, and many Buffalo-equipped units gave a good account of themselves before they were overwhelmed by superior Japanese numbers. Accurate figures on the combat losses of British Buffalos are difficult to come by. Approximately 60 to 70 Buffalos were lost in air combat, 40 were destroyed on the ground, twenty were lost in various non-combat related accidents, four were transferred to the Dutch, and six were evacuated to India. Commonwealth Buffalo squadrons claimed at least 80 kills, and some units may have achieved a 2-to-1 kill ratio.

Serial numbers of Brewster Buffalo Mk. I:

W8131/W8250
AN168/AN217

Disposition of Brewster Buffalo Mk. Is


Serial C/Nl Model Markings Remarks
AN168 267 339E
AN169 268 339E
AN170 269 339E TD-? 21&21/453Sqn RAAF served with 21 and 21/453 Sqns; 24/12/41 to 21/453 Sqn; one of 8 Buffalos escorting Glenn Martins and Wirraways to Muar on 19/1/42 where they were engaged by strong fighter force; Sgt Henry W Parsons (originally from 21 Sqn) was shot down near Batu Pahat Malaya in this a/c and killed.
AN171 270 339E TD-? 21&21/453Sqn RAAF 24/12/41 to 453 Sqn; collided with Buffalo W8202 carrying out a weaving manoeuvre while searching for the target area and ditched near Tengora 12/01/42. Malaya on 12/1/42 pilot F/O R H Wallace 586 was injured but managed to swim ashore.
AN172 271 339E GA-? 21Sqn RAAF "on 15/12/41 F/L Kinninmont hit a soggy patch on the emergency strip at Port Swettenham, abandoned." Malaya and the wing tip dug in causing extensive damage; F/L Kinninmont was ok.
AN173 272 339E 0
AN174 273 339E TD-? 21&21/453Sqn RAAF 24/12/41 to 21/453 Sqn; lost to enemy action at Sembawang on 19/1/42 (air raid?).
AN175 274 339E TD-? 21&21/453Sqn RAAF one of 12 Buffalos which engaged 20 Ki43 fighters near Kuala Lumpur Malaya on 22/12/41; pilot was Sgt Harry Griffiths who claimed a Zero? (probably an Oscar) destroyed that day but was shot down himself he was ok.
AN176 275 339E TD-? 21&21/453Sqn RAAF 24/12/41 to 21/453 Sqn; off 453 Sqn's charge in 1/42.
AN177 276 339E TD-? 21&21/453Sqn RAAF 24/12/41 to 21/453 Sqn; off 453 Sqn's charge in 1/42.
AN178 277 339E
AN179 278 339E
AN180 279 339E GA-B 21&21/453Sqn RAAF on 13/12/41 transferred to 453 Sqn from 21 Sqn where it was coded GA-B; 22/12/41 was in action near Kuala Lumpur area with Sgt W Collyer the pilot; off 453 Sqn's charge in 1/42.
AN181 280 339E
AN182 281 339E
AN183 282 339E
AN184 283 339E GA-M 453/21 Sqn RAAF "to 453 Sqn; was involved in combat over Kuala Lumpur Malaya on 22/12/41 and damage and wounded, in that action forcing P/O T W Livesey to belly land it; transferred from 21 Sqn where it was coded GA-M. " Malaya on 22/12/41 and was shot down in that action forcing P/O T W Livesey to belly land it; transferred from 21 Sqn where it was coded GA-M.
AN185 284 339E TD-V 453Sqn RAAF to 453 Sqn; was coded TD-V with that Sqn; F/L R D Vanderfield flew it on 13/12/41 and in it shot down 2 bombers (Ki-48 Lily?); off Sqn's charge in 1/42.
AN186 285 339E 21&21/453Sqn RAAF on 9/12/41 F/O D M Sproule flew it from Butterworth Malaya.
AN187 286 339E NF-? 488Sqn RNZAF Pilot.Sgt Kuhn bailed out when engine seized and caught fir over Kallang on test flight.13/01/42
AN188 287 339E 21 Sqn RAAF on 9/12/41 it was damaged and forced landed on Penang Is. Flt Lt Max White OK. Malaya pilot was F/L A M White.
AN189 288 339E NF-? 453Sqn RAAF/488SqnRNZAF served with 453 and 488 Sqns; delivered 15/12/41 to 453 Sqn and later transferred to 488 Sqn; was shot down while with 488 Sqn on the 19/1/42 and pilot was Sgt Charters RNZAF who was latter captured in that action or Sgt C D Charters RNZAF who was shot down and captured.
AN190 289 339E
AN191 290 339E
AN192 291 339E
AN193 292 339E
AN194 293 339E GA-D 21&21/453Sqn RAAF coded GA-D with 21 Sqn; on 8/12/41 was flown by F/O J B Hooper; handed over to 453 Sqn on 27/1/42; this could be one of the Buffalos the Japanese captured at Singapore or Sumatra in 2/42.
AN195 294 339E
AN196 295 339E
AN197 296 339E
AN198 297 339E NF-? 488Sqn RNZAF
AN199 298 339E NF-? 488Sqn RNZAF
AN200 299 339E WP-Z 243Sqn RAF s/d 23/01/42 Sgt Max Greenslade bailed out tree level near Kluang.
AN201 300 339E GA-? 21 Sqn RAAF flown by F/L R A Kirkman on 8/12/41; either destroyed in air raid at Ipoh on 17/12/41 or wrecked when ran into a drain on same date.
AN202 301 339E 21&21/453Sqn RAAF 24/12/41 to 21/453 Sqn; still serviceable on 28/12/41 at Sembawang; off Sqn's charge in 1/42.
AN203 302 339E 21&21/453Sqn RAAF 24/12/41 to 21/453 Sqn; still on Sqn strength on 28/12/41 at Sembawang; off Sqn's charge in 1/42.
AN204 303 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF one of 12 a/c scrambled on 22/12/41 and badly damaged in a crash landing shedding its engine when it hit an embankment; P/O R W Drury was removed from the a/c badly injured only to die soon after.
AN205 304 339E
AN206 305 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF issued ??/12/41 to 453 Sqn; was on Sqn strength on 28/12/41 and off 453 Sqn's charge in 1/42.
AN207 306 339E
AN208 307 339E
AN209 308 339E
AN210 309 339E TD-J 453Sqn RAAF pilot was P/O G I Angus; on 22/12/41 was straffed and damaged as Sgt Keith Gorringe was waiting to take off from Sembawang strip after being scrambled; off Sqn's charge in 1/42.
AN211 310 339E 21&21/453Sqn RAAF "near Sumatra on 3/1/42 while on patrol; pilot was Sgt Harry Griffiths who was injured(?). landed on Pulau Kundor and flipped over, Pilot injured in eye and head, date 02/01/42"
AN212 311 339E GA-? 21 Sqn RAAF F/O G M Sheppard flew this a/c from Butterworth Malaya on 9/12/41.
AN213 312 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF "this may be the a/c F/L T A Vigors was shot down in near Butterworth,0915hrs 13/12/41" Malaya on 13/12/41 (see W8231); still with 453 Sqn (21/453? Sqn) on 28/12/41 when the guns were removed; off Sqn's charge in 1/42; may have been operated by 21 Sqn.
AN214 313 339E RD-? 67Sqn RAF
AN215 314 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF delivered ??/12/41 to 453 Sqn and off Sqn's charge in 1/42.
AN216 315 339E RD-? 67Sqn RAF "s/d 25/12/42 Sgt John MacPherson RAF killed (Red 2) 10 miles east od Rangoon, Burma"
W8135 151 339E NF-? 67Sqn RAF/488SqnRNZAF "crs on takeoff due to oil pipe fracture, 12/01/42 into swamp.Sgt Vic Meaclem ok."
W8136 152 339E/PR 488Sqn RNZAF/243Sqn RAF/4PRU "Flt Sgt Wareham, crs landed Tengah Singapore 29/01/42 between trees w/o 4PRU Black Buffalo"
W8137 153 339E WP-? 243Sqn RAF s/d 12/01/42 over Singapore Sgt Reg Newman mortally wounded.
W8138 154 339E NF-O 67Sqn RAF/488SqnRNZAF "18/01/42, had Dragon motif. P/O Sharp's a/c heavyly damaged.w/o"
W8139 155 339E WP-B 243Sqn RAF w/o on landing Kallang 12/01/42 flown by FLt Garden
W8140 156 339E
W8141 157 339E NF-? 488Sqn RNZAF "s/d 18/01/42 into sea Phillip's Strait. P/O Ernie Cox, picked up by ASR."
W8142 158 339E WP-? 243Sqn RAF "Abandoned damaged at Kota Bharu, Malaya following unsuccessful repairs 09/12/41, Fell into japanese hands.Was flown by P/O Shields 243Sqn that day."
W8143 159 339E RD-B/WP-? 67Sqn RAF/243Sqn "survived til at least 6/02/42 on 243Sqn, Sumatra, flown by Sgt Geoff Fisken RNZAF .now part of 453Sqn."
W8144 160 339E RD-C 67Sqn RAF
W8145 161 339E WP-? 243Sqn RAF damaged beyond repair 18/01/42 on landing Kallang. P/OMarra 243Sqn RAF.
W8146 162 339E RD-D 67Sqn RAF
W8147 163 339E WP-O 243Sqn RAF "Sgt Geoff Fisken's 243Sqn RAF mount.s/d 22/01/42 north east of Horburgh Light, south of Pulau Tidman with Sgt Vic Arthur."
W8148 164 339E NF-? 67Sqn RAF/488SqnRNZAF "17/01/42, engine seized during patrol over Palau Batu. P/O Frank Johnstone bailed out"
W8149 165 339E
W8150 166 339E RD-E 67Sqn RAF/488SqnRNZAF
W8151 167 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF 26/8/41 to 453 Sqn; crashed on take-off at Sembawang Singapore on 9/12/41 pilot Sgt V A Collyer 402935 was ok and the engine was salvaged.
W8152 168 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF 26/8/41 to 453 Sqn; shot down into a paddy field near Butterworth Malaya on 13/12/41 pilot P/O G L Angus 403009 was wounded in the leg.
W8153 169 339E RD-? 67Sqn RAF/488Sqn/21/453Sqn RAAF 24/12/41 to 21/453 Sqn; originally with 67 RAF then 488 RNZAF Sqns transferred to 21 Sqn and coded GA-P; operated by 21 Sqn flight when Sqns combined; transferred to 453 Sqn 27?/1/42; flown out to Sumatra 5?/2/42; finally used by Dutch AF and carried their markings and captured by the Japanese ??/2/42 at Andir.
W8154 170 339E
W8155 171 339E
W8156 172 339E RD-? 67Sqn RAF/488Sqn/21/453Sqn RAAF 15/12/41 to 453 Sqn; originally with 67 RAF then 488 NZRAF Sqns; damaged at Jahore 8/8/41; was on strength with 21/453 Sqn in 1/42 fate after that unknown.
W8157 173 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF 26/8/41 to 453 Sqn; believed lost to enemy action in ??/12/41.
W8158 174 339E TD-N 453Sqn RAAF 26/8/41 to 453 Sqn and coded TD-N; crashed and burned in Sumatra(See W8180 for story). P/OBrown on attachment from 243Sqn RAF. Sumatra after becoming lost due to very bad weather 13/12/41 pilot P/O D R L Brown RNZAF 41687 was killed; P/O Brown was on detachment from 243 Sqn RAF.[Other sources have W/C L J Neale being killed in the a/c at same place see W8176.]
W8159 175 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF 26/8/41 to 453 Sqn; F/L B A Grace was flying this a/c when damaged over Butterworth and landed at Ipoh on 13/12/41; lost due to enemy action at Kuala Lumpur Malaya on 22/12/41 [air raid?].
W8160 176 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF "15/12/41 to 453 Sqn; lost due to enemy action at Sembawang, 17/01/42. Sgt Clare's mount." Malaya on 22/12/41.
W8161 177 339E RD-? 67Sqn RAF
W8162 178 339E WP-? 243Sqn RAF damaged beyond repair 18/011/42. Kallang . P/OSharp 243Sqn RAF.
W8163 179 339E GA-P 21&21/453Sqn RAAF coded GA-P; 24?/12/41 transferred to 453 Sqn with Sqn merger; recorded at Sembawang on 28/12/41 with only 2 guns in the fuselage; was on strength with 21/453 RAAF Sqn in 1/42; captured by Japenese intact along with 2 other RAF and 5 NEIAF Buffalo's (one identified as B-395/E 2-VLG-V Unit) two of these repainted in JIAF colours and sent off to Japan.
W8164 180 339E WP-? 243Sqn RAF "operational 15/01/42, with P/OBonhan."
W8165 181 339E
W8166 182 339E 4 PRU destroyed 7/02/42 Seletar by shelling. 4PRU Black Buffalo
W8167 183 339E
W8168 184 339E NF-? 67Sqn RAF/488SqnRNZAF
W8169 185 339E GA-? 21 Sqn RAAF with 21 Sqn Malaya 1941.
W8170 186 339E
W8171 187 339E NF-? 488Sqn RNZAF s/d 19/01/42 P/O Keith McAneny killed near Muar.
W8172 188 339E
W8173 189 339E NF-? 488Sqn RNZAF
W8174 190 339E WP-V 243Sqn RAF/488Sqn RNZAF "Damaged beyond use 22/01/42 at Kallang, due to Japanese bombing on that day. on 488Sqn charge at the time."
W8175 191 339E NF-? 488Sqn RNZAF "hit tree 18/12/41,when landing at Kallang. Sgt Alex Craig NZ killed."
W8176 192 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF delivered 26/8/41 to 453 Sqn; struck a tree on landing approach near coast of Sumatra!!! (seeW8180) after becoming lost due to very bad weather 13/12/41 pilot W/C L J Neale RAF 29174 was killed; W/C Neale was OC RAF station Sungei Patani Malaya. [Other sources have P/O D R L Brown being killed in this a/c see W8158].
W8177 193 339E NF-B 488Sqn RNZAF "Flt Hutcheson crs landed on shore of island west of Samboe, Singapore. 18/01/42"
W8178 194 339E
W8179 195 339E WP-W 243Sqn RAF
W8180 196 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF "delivered 26/8/41 to 453 Sqn; crashed and overturned several times in a paddy field on the Sumatra Coast, near Pakan Baroe( ferry flight from Ipoh, but got lost in storm, hence ending up in NEI, bodies of Neale(W8176) and Brown(W8158) buried at Taloek, Sumatra.) after becoming lost due to very bad weather 13/12/41 pilot P/O T W Livesey 402870 was unhurt. "
W8181 197 339E NF-P 488Sqn RNZAF s/d 15/01/42 Sgt John Oliver over Singapore
W8182 198 339E WP-Q 243Sqn RAF
W8183 199 339E NF-? 488Sqn RNZAF damaged in combat 12/01/42 over Singapore. FLt MacKenzie. s/d 15/01/42 P/O Greville Hesketh into Oil tanks at Alexandra Miltitary Hospital.
W8184 200 339E
W8185 201 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF488Sqn RNZAF delivered 26/8/41 to 453 Sqn; transferred to 488 Sqn RAF on ??/11/41; shot down over Singapore 13/1/42 and ditched by P/O Frank Oakdon with 488 Sqn RNZAF.
W8186 202 339E NF-? 488Sqn RNZAF s/d 12/01/42 over Singapore. Sgt Bob MacMillan bailed out.
W8187 203 339E WP-R 243Sqn RAF "Damaged 12/01/42 over Singapore, landed at Kallang, severely damaged, maynot have repaired.Sgt Baldwin.s/d 22/01/42 Sgt Ginger Baldwin into sea Johore Strait."
W8188 204 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF "delivered 26/8/41 to 453 Sqn; involved in landing accident at Sembawang, latter s/d 14/12/42 Flt Max White" Singapore when undercarriage collapsed on 15/9/41 pilot was Sgt A W B Clare 402769 who was not injured.
W8189 205 339E WP-Q 243Sqn RAF s/d 12/01/42 Sgt Noel Rankin KIA in sea off Singapore.
W8190 206 339E RD-F 67Sqn RAF
W8191 207 339E RD-H 67Sqn RAF/488Sqn RNZAF "destroyed 22/01/42 Kallang from bombing when taking off, Pilot, P/O Len Farr died latter on."
W8192 208 339E WP-? 243SqnRAF/453SqnRAAF originally with 243 Sqn; delivered ??/12/41 to 453 Sqn; forced landed Kuala Kangsar 13/12/41 Malaya after damaged over Butterworth 13/12/41 pilot was Sgt M B O'Mara.
W8193 209 339E RD-? 243&67Sqn RAF/21/453Sqn RAAF served with 453 Sqn(?); (ex-243 RAF and ex-67 Sqn Sqn RAF) flown by 453 Sqn but records are very vague on whether this a/c survived past 1/2/42.
W8194 210 339E
W8195 211 339E NF-? 488Sqn RNZAF
W8196 212 339E WP-U 243Sqn RAF "damaged in combat and landed and collided with 1Sqn RAAF Hudson, A16-52( previously crs landed by Flt Diamond), ""U"" flown by F/O Holder. both severly damaged."
W8197 213 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF delivered 26/8/41 to 453 Sqn; force landed 2 miles north of Sembawang Singapore and written off on 18/9/41 pilot Sgt Harry Griffiths only slightly injured.
W8198 214 339E RD-? 67Sqn RAF/488Sqn RNZAF "Damaged beyond use 22/01/42 at Kallang, due to Japanese bombing on that day"
W8199 215 339E WP-S 243Sqn
W8200 216 339E RD-? 67Sqn RAF/488Sqn RNZAF "collided with MVAF Moth on finals 29/12/41 at Singapore, killing Moth's crew(P/O W.W.G.Felton RNZAF & Pty Officer W.Smith RN., Buffalo piloted by Sgt De Maus.Repaired. s/d 12/01/42 Singapore Sgt Terry Honan b/o 12,000ft."
W8201 217 339E WP-? 243Sqn RAF crs landed Kallang 18/01/42.
W8202 218 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF "delivered 26/8/41 to 453 Sqn; on 27/8/41 F/O F Leigh Bowes landed with wheels up at Sembawang; named ""Shirley"", w/o 12/01/42 Sgt Harrison lost his prop in collision with another Buffalo and being too low to bailout, crs landed amonsgt the trees alonside the Mersing River." after Sgt Griffith's wife and was coded TD-G; collided with Buffalo AN171 while carrying out a weaving manoeuvre searching for the target area and crash landed at Mersing Malaya on 12/1/42 pilot Sgt G T Harrison 407578 was ok; a/c was with 21/453 Sqn at time; Sgt Harrison was with 21 Sqn flight of 21/453 Sqn.
W8203 219 339E
W8204 220 339E
W8205 221 339E
W8206 222 339E RD-? 67Sqn RAF/453Sqn RAAF. "S/D near Rangoon Burma 25/12/41 Sgt R.P McNabb RNZAF/ delivered ??/12/41 to 453 Sqn; previously with 21 Sqn; was one of two Buffalos that attacked 14 Japanese dive bombers and 14 fighters over Kuala Lumpur.s/d by 59th Sentai, 20/12/41 Sgt Leys bailed out near Kuala Lumpar" Malaya on 21/12/41 this a/c piloted by Sgt K R Leys 402955 took on the fighters; he was promptly shot down and baled out being fired upon as he parachuted down but survived.
W8207 223 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF delivered ??/12/41 to 453 Sqn; was with 453 Sqn on 21/12/41; shot down just after taking-off from Kuala Lumpur Malaya 22/12/41 and it is believed Sgt E A Peterson was killed in this a/c.
W8208 224 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF delivered 26/8/41 to 453 Sqn; the first fatality of 453 Sqn; attempted force landing at Buntang Island 70 kms SE of Singapore after becoming lost after flying radio trials for Kallang on 8/10/41 pilot P/O Max Irvine-Brown 404736 was killed.
W8209 225 339E TD-F 453Sqn RAAF delivered ??/12/41 to 453 Sqn; was with 453 Sqn on 13/12/41 and being piloted by Sgt Read; lost when the Buffalo rammed a fighter over Kuala Lumpur Malaya on 22/12/41 pilot Sgt M N Read 402952 was killed; a/c was coded TD-F.
W8210 226 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF delivered 26/8/41 to 453 Sqn; crashed into a Dutch Martin bomber on landing at Sembawang airstrip Singapore on 9/12/41 pilot Sgt E A Peterson 402951 was ok but a/c written off.
W8211 227 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF delivered ??/12/41 to 453 Sqn; on 14/12/41 landed at Ipoh strip by Sgt Greg E Seagoe despite wounded in shoulder; crashed while attempting to land at Ipoh Malaya on 19/12/41 pilot was Sgt V A Collyer 402935; in action near Kuala Lumpur area on 22/12/41 but shot down pilot Sgt S G Scrimgeour was burnt before bailing out.
W8212 228 339E GA-? 21 Sqn RAAF flown by Sgt Norman R Chapman on 8/12/41. s/d latter on 9/12/41 .
W8213 229 339E RD-? 67Sqn RAF
W8214 230 339E GA-? 21 Sqn RAAF while practicing aerobatics on 26/9/41 over Jahore Strait a/c caught fire and F/O R H Wallace bailed out.
W8215 231 339E
W8216 232 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF flown bt Sgt Greg R Board in Alkor Star area on 14/12/41; crashed on take-off from Ipoh Malaya on 19/12/41 pilot Sgt Board 402845; on 22/12/41 in action over Kuala Lumpur area and shot down with Sgt Board bailing out.
W8217 233 339E TD-B 453Sqn RAAF delivered ??/12/41 to 453 Sqn; crash landed at Ipoh Malaya on 13/12/41 pilot F/O F Leigh Bowes 402846 was ok; a/c coded TD-B. Malaya on 13/12/41
W8218 234 339E
W8219 235 339E GA-? 21&21/453Sqn RAAF originally with 21 Sqn; on strength of 21/453 on 24/12/41; force-landed at Kuala Lumpuruang (Lumpur?) Malaya on 10/1/42 and written off pilot Sgt Greg R Board 402845 was ok.
W8220 236 339E RD-U 67Sqn RAF S/D near Rangoon Burma 25/12/41 F/O John Lambert RAF
W8221 237 339E WP-X 243Sqn RAF "in action 8/12/41 near Kota Bharu and Machang, Malaya, during inital invasion.P/O Shields. 90% sure it was destroyed at Kota Bharu Airfield along with 3 others 09/12/41."
W8222 238 339E GA-? 21 Sqn RAAF served with 21 Sqn Malaya 1941
W8223 239 339E NF-? 488Sqn RNZAF "4/01/42, struck house on landing when engine stopped. P/OJ.C.Godstiff suffered severe injuries, a/c w/o"
W8224 240 339E GA-? 21 Sqn RAAF served with 21 Sqn Malaya 1941. s/d near Butterworth on 09/12/41 whilst escort 62Sqn RAF Blenheims. F/O Kenny landed in sea with severe facial burns.Picked up by a launch.
W8225 241 339E TD-? 21&21/453Sqn RAAF delivered ??/12/41 to 453 Sqn; previously with 21 Sqn; shot down while trying to gain height to engage enemy fighters north of Ipoh Malaya on 13/12/41 pilot Sgt R R Oelrich 402875 was killed.
W8226 242 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF delivered 26/8/41 to 453 Sqn; overshot while landing at Sembawang airstrip Singapore on 5/11/41 pilot Sgt Keith Gorringe 402859 was ok.
W8227 243 339E GA-? 21 Sqn RAAF served with 21 Sqn Malaya 1941
W8228 244 339E
W8229 245 339E RD-? 67Sqn RAF "s/d 20/01/42 Moulmein, Burma, after taking off by Ki27's, P/O Paul Brewer RAF killed"
W8230 246 339E
W8231 247 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF delivered ??/12/41 to 453 Sqn; believed shot down over Penang Malaya on 13/12/41 pilot F/L Tim A Vigors DFC RAF 33554 was badly burnt on the legs hands and arms and wounded in the thigh; several attempts were made to kill him by the Japanese fighter pilots as he descended in his parachute.
W8232 248 339E GA-? 21 Sqn RAAF "served with 21 Sqn Malaya 1941, strafed after deadstick landing following unsuccessful escort mission with 62SqnRAF,Butterworth 9/12/41. Flt Williams survived after leaving aircraft."
W8233 249 339E
W8234 250 339E TD-? 21&21/453Sqn RAAF delivered 24/12/41 to 21/453 Sqn but was originally with 21 Sqn; lost to enemy action on 12/1/42 while with 21/453 Sqn.
W8235 251 339E NF-? 488Sqn RNZAF "forced to bailout over sea, following fuel exhaustion, when chasing Ki27's. Sgt Don Clow, bailed out south of Pulau Batam.13/01/42"
W8236 252 339E GA-? 21 Sqn RAAF "served with 21 Sqn Malaya 1941. F/O Montefiore bailed out after being severly damaged by Ki27's 09/12/41 near Butterworth, whilst escorting 62Sqn RAF Blenheims(code FX-*)"
W8237 253 339E TD-? 453Sqn RAAF "delivered 15/12/41 to 453 Sqn; was originally with 21 Sqn; still on strength with 21/453 Sqn in late 1/42 possibly went to Sumatra in 2/42.Used by 243Sqn before and after, at Sembawang Sumatra after bellying in 4/02/42 by Sgt Fisken 243Sqn RAF "
W8238 254 339E WP-? 243Sqn RAF s/d 13/01/42 Sgt Russell Reynolds into sea south of Singapore.
W8239 255 339E RD-? 67Sqn RAF
W8240 256 339E RD-? 67Sqn RAF "s/d 20/01/42 Moulmein, Burma, after taking off by Ki27's, Sgt John Finn RAF killed"
W8241 257 339E RD-? 67Sqn RAF "Locally modified as Recon Ship with wing guns removed and F24 14"" vertical camera"
W8242 258 339E WP-? 243Sqn RAF crs landed Kallang 18/01/42
W8243 259 339E RD-B 67Sqn RAF
W8244 260 339E
W8245 261 339E RD-D 67Sqn RAF
W8246 262 339E WP-K 243Sqn RAF
W8247 263 339E
W8248 264 339E RD-? 67Sqn RAF S/D near Rangoon Burma 25/12/41 Sgt Ted E.B. Hewitt RNZAF
W8249 265 339E
W8250 266 339E

Specification of Brewster Buffalo Mk. I (Model B 339E):

Powerplant: One Wright R-1820-G105A Cyclone nine-cylinder, single-row air-cooled radial, rated at 1100 hp for takeoff. Performance: Maximum speed of 324 mph at 21,000 feet, 313 mph at 13,000 feet. Cruising speed 256 mph. Initial climb rate 2600 ft/min. An altitude of 15,000 feet could be reached in 6.3 minutes. Service ceiling 30,675 feet. Weights: 4479 pounds empty, 6500 pounds gross, 6840 pounds maximum takeoff. Dimensions: Wingspan 35 feet 0 inches, length 26 feet 0 inches, height 12 feet 1 inches, wing area 209 square feet. Armament: Two 0.50 inch machine guns in the wings, two 0.30-inch machine guns in the upper fuselage.

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Belgian B-339B also got diverted to the UK. The Belgian B-339's were too different to be assimilated to the Brewter Buffalo Mk.I and all went to the FAA. The Belgian-339 never received the denomination of Buffalo Mk.I in British service.Because of their shortcomings, the ex-Belgian B-339B were kept in a defensive role and saw little action.


Most of the ex-Belgian B-339Bs were sent to Egypt where they equipped No. 805 Squadron of the FAA. They served from land bases only until 1942.


The RAAF took charge of somme Brewster B339-23s from the Dutch, and received the Australian denomination A51.
Most of the A51s were used by No. 1 PRU, RAAF, as reconnaissance fighter.