Grumman JF Duck
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The Grumman JF "Duck" was an American single-engine amphibious biplane built by Grumman for the United States Navy during the 1930s. The J2F Duck was an improved version of the JF, with its main difference being a longer float.[1]
Design and development
The Grumman JF Duck was manufactured from 1934 until 1936, when production switched to the J2F Duck and later variants.[2] The more obvious external appearance clue to distinguish a JF from an early J2F is the deletion of the inter-aileron strut between the wings on the J2F; less noticeable perhaps is the J2F's slightly longer rear fuselage/float joining fillet beneath the tail.[2]
The Duck's main pontoon was part of the fuselage, almost making it a flying boat, although it appears more like a standard aircraft with an added float. The XJF-1 prototype first flew on 24 April 1933 piloted by Grumman test pilot Paul Hovgard.[3]
Operational history
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The JF-1 that was first ordered had the same Pratt & Whitney R-1830-62 engine as the XJF-1 prototype. The US Navy ordered 27 JF-1s with the first Ducks delivered beginning in May 1934 to Norfolk NAS. These early production series had provisions for mounting a machine gun at the rear seat facing aft, as well as a single bomb rack mounted under each wing, capable of carrying a 100 lb (45.4 kg) bomb or depth charge on each. The main float was also a Grumman design (Grumman Model "A") and like the prototype, it included retractable main landing gear, making the Duck a true amphibian. Ducks served as general/utility amphibians for photographic, target-towing, scouting, and rescue work.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Variants
- XJF-1
- Prototype with 700 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1535-62 engine, one built (BuNo 9218).
- JF-1
- Production variant with 700 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830-62 Twin Wasp engine, 27 built (BuNos 9434-9455, 9523-9527).
- JF-2
- Variant for the United States Coast Guard powered by a 750 hp Wright R-1820-102 Cyclone engine, 14 built with the first entering service in October 1934 (BuNo 0266, 00371-00372, 01647, USCG V141-V155).[4]
- JF-3
- JF-2 for the U.S. Navy, five built (BuNos 9835-9839).
- Grumman G-20
- Armed version of the Grumman JF-2 for export to Argentina. Eight built.[5]
Operators
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- Argentine Navy – Operated eight G-20s.[6]
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- United States Navy
- United States Coast Guard
- United States Marine Corps – Operated one JF-2
Specifications (JF-2)
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Allen, Francis J. "A Duck Without Feathers". Air Enthusiast, Issue 23, December 1983 – March 1984, pp. 46–55, 77–78. Bromley, Kent UK: Pilot Press, 1983.
- "Specifications of American Airplanes". Aviation, Volume 36, No. 4, April 1937, pp. 66–71. (Registration required)
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- Thruelsen, Richard. The Grumman Story. New York: Praeger Publishers, Inc., 1976. Template:ISBN.
- Treadwell, Terry. Ironworks: Grumman's Fighting Aeroplanes. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishers, 1990. Template:ISBN.
Further reading
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External links
Template:Grumman aircraft Template:USN utility aircraft
- ↑ Allen 1983, p. 49.
- ↑ a b Jordan, Corey C. "Grumman's Ascendency: Chapter Two." Template:Webarchive Planes and Pilots Of World War Two, 2000. Retrieved: 22 July 2011.
- ↑ Thruelson 'The Grumman Story' 1976, p. 77.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Allen Air Enthusiast Twenty-three, p.78.
- ↑ Allen Air Enthusiast Twenty-three, pp. 47–48.