Hobby Master B-339E Buffalo, No. 448 Squadron, Singapore, 1941 diecast model aircraft HA7002 1/48

The Brewster B339-E (Buffalo MKI) was the export modified variant of the F2A-2 ordered by Great Britain 's Royal Air Force (RAF). A total of over 200 were shipped to Singapore and Northern Malaya to equip the RAF and Commonwealth squadrons. British officials stated that the Buffalo "would be more than a match for Japanese aircraft". Initially the B339-Es were quite adequate against Japanese Army Air Force until they encountered the Japanese Zero. Despite various efforts to increase maneuverability of the aircraft, the Buffalo was of no match to the Zero and suffered heavy losses in combats. Many of the pilots flying the Buffalos had only a handful of experiences while Japanese pilots were mostly veterans of war against China . However, these fledgling pilots achieved much greater success than could have been anticipated.

No. 488 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) was one of the five Commonwealth squadrons that received the B-339E in the Far East. Together with other squadrons, they stationed at the British naval base of Singapore and on the adjacent Malayan Peninsula. These Commonwealth squadrons claimed at least eighty kills while some units might have achieved a 2 to 1 kill ratio. The pilot of the RNZAF NF-O W8138 was Flight Officer Noel C. Sharp. On 18 Jan.1942, a combined formation of 243 and 488 Squadrons met the escort to an incoming Japanese bomber raid. Sharp was one of two Allied pilots who claimed a Japanese "Navy O" fighter shot down in the combat. Throughout his career, Sharp had downed 3 aircraft and damaged 2 bombers. He was killed in 1942 flying a Hurricane.