Summary

During 1939 the United States Navy began an ambitious program to both modernise and increase the size of its carrier fleet.

During 1939 the United States Navy began an ambitious program to both modernise and increase the size of its carrier fleet. Grumman were already producing a carrier borne fighter, the F4F Wildcat, when the call for a VT (torpedo bomber). Until then the navy had relied on the Douglas Devastator, which had entered service in 1937. But world events were dictating that a totally new aircraft was needed, one that had superior capabilities.