Developed from the FF-1, the XF2F-1 prototype single-seat carrier-borne biplane fighter made its first flight just a few months after deliveries began of the earlier type. In terms of performance it was a great improvement over naval fighters then operational and so the US Navy ordered it into production. The F2F-1 production version was powered by the 484.4kW Pratt & Whitney R-1535-72 radial engine, had a neat cockpit canopy which was faired into the rear fuselage and retained the type of retractable landing gear used on the FF-1.
Soon after all F2F-1 had been delivered, Grumman produced a new prototype, the XF3F-1, which flew for the first time in March 1935. This version was slightly larger and production aircraft entered service in the following year. F3F-1 and later F3F-2 were powered by 484.4kW R-1535-84 and 559kW Wright Cyclone engines respectively, although in general construction they were identical to the F2F-1. Maximum level speed of the F3F-2 was 434.5km/h, a clear
48km/h faster than the F3F-1. Altogether a total of 216 F2F/F3F were produced, remaining operational until the latter part of 1939.
