The Brewster F2A Buffalo, the U.S. Navy's first monoplane shipboard fighter, saw brief combat service during the first half-year of the Pacific War. Built in 1936-38, Brewster's XF2A-1 prototype replaced the Grumman F3F biplane fighter. Due to production problems, F2A-1s began to join USS Saratoga's Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) in late 1939 with only eleven entering Navy service. It had a poor service record with the US navy and the remaining aircraft were modified and sold to Finland. There they served with considerable success against Soviet aircraft during 1941-44 and against the Germans in 1944-45. Other versions of the F2A were subsequently employed against the Japanese by the British Royal Air Force and the Netherlands East Indies Army Air Corps.