Photo of the Week

FROM THE SCHS LIBRARY ARCHIVES

"How shall we know it is us without our past?"
- John Steinbeck

by Wendy Polhemus-Annibell, Head Librarian

1943 Grumman Calendar Book. (From the Collection of the Suffolk County Historical Society Library Archives. Image Copyright © Suffolk County Historical Society. All rights reserved.)

Pictured on the January page of this 1943 Grumman calendar is the FF-1, Grumman's first military plane for the U.S. Navy. It was also the world's first military plane with retractable landing gear and a completely enclosed cockpit.

This two-place all metal biplane with a deep fusalage and equipped with arresting gear for service on aircraft carriers was superior to any fighter plane then in the service of the U.S. Navy. It was powered by a Wright cyclone, air-cooled engine, and boasted a top speed of 216 mph and a cruising range of 650 miles. Armament consisted of one machine gun firing through the propeller and one flexible machine gun in the rear cockpit.

From the FF-1, the SF-1 scout fighter was developed. FF-1s were delivered to Fighter Squadron VF-5B of the USS Lexington beginning in June 1933. In service the FF-1 became familiarly known as the "Fifi." Delivery of SF-1s started in 1934. Both the FF-1 and SF-1 were withdrawn from first-line U.S. Navy squadrons by the end of 1936 and reallocated to reserve units.

Join us for a BOOK & BOTTLE talk on Saving Fire Island from Robert Moses: The Fight for a National Seashore with author Christopher Verga on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 6:00 pm. To developer Robert Moses, the Fire Island coastline was ripe for the construction of a four-lane highway, but standing up to his ambitions were the communities of Fire Island, unified in their love for their sun-washed sandy beaches and in their fight for federal protection through the creation of the Fire Island National Seashore. Author Chris Verga will discuss their triumphant struggle, the subject of his recently published book. Members Free; Non-Members $5. RSVP Required: 631-727-2881 x100. Includes wine & cheese + admission to current exhibits. This event will also feature a Book Sale and Signing!
 

NEW ACCESSIBILITY ENTRANCE NOW OPEN! We are proud to announce the Grand Opening of our new entrance wing!  Our new reception entrance incorporates all ADA-compliant handicap accommodations, including elevator, restrooms, and on-site handicap parking, improving access for all! This project was made possible through major funding from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, and Empire State Development.

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the Suffolk County Historical Society whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. Click here to get started!

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Copyright © 2019 Suffolk County Historical Society. All rights reserved. No part of this electronic document may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the Suffolk County Historical Society.