Grumman JF Duck

JF Duck
	Grumman JF-2 Duck in United States Coast Guard service
Role	Utility amphibian
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Grumman
First flight	24 April 1933
Introduction	1935
Primary users	United States Navy; United States Marine Corps ; Argentine Navy ; United States Coast Guard
Number built	48
Variants	Grumman J2F Duck

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, though it appears more like a standard aircraft with an added float. This general configuration was shared with the earlier Loening OL. The XJF-1 prototype first flew on 24 April 1933 piloted by Grumman test pilot Paul Hovgard.^{[citation needed]}

Operational history

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, 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.^{[citation needed]}

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, 15 built (BuNo 0266, 00371-00372, 01647, USCG V141-V155).
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.^[3]

Operators

Argentina

Argentine Navy - Operated eight G-20s.^[4]

United States

United States Navy
United States Coast Guard
United States Marine Corps - Operated one JF-2

Specifications (JF-2)

Data from ^[5]

General characteristics

Crew: 2–4
Length: 33 ft 0 in (10.06 m)
Wingspan: 39 ft 0 in (11.89 m)
Height: 12 ft 8 in (3.86 m)
Wing area: 409.0 sq ft (38.00 m²)
Empty weight: 4,100 lb (1,860 kg)
Gross weight: 5,760 lb (2,613 kg)
Fuel capacity: 150 US gal (120 imp gal; 570 L)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp 14-cyl two row air-cooled radial piston engine, 775 hp (578 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 185 mph (298 km/h, 161 kn) at 7,000 ft (2,100 m)
Cruise speed: 155 mph (249 km/h, 135 kn)
Stall speed: 63 mph (101 km/h, 55 kn)
Range: 620 mi (1,000 km, 540 nmi)
Service ceiling: 22,000 ft (6,700 m)
Rate of climb: 1,600 ft/min (8.1 m/s)

References

Notes

^ Allen 1983, p. 49.
^ ^a ^b Jordan, Corey C. "Grumman's Ascendency: Chapter Two." Planes and Pilots Of World War Two, 2000. Retrieved: 22 July 2011.
^ Allen Air Enthusiast Twenty-three, p.78.
^ Allen Air Enthusiast Twenty-three, pp. 47–48.
^ Aviation April 1937, pp. 70–71

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)
Thruelsen, Richard. The Grumman Story. New York: Praeger Publishers, Inc., 1976. ISBN 0-275-54260-2.
Treadwell, Terry. Ironworks: Grumman's Fighting Aeroplanes. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishers, 1990. ISBN 1-85310-070-6.

External links

The Grumman J2F Duck

[Allen_49-1] Allen 1983, p. 49.

[Jordan2-2] Jordan, Corey C. "Grumman's Ascendency: Chapter Two." Planes and Pilots Of World War Two, 2000. Retrieved: 22 July 2011.

[ae23_p78-3] Allen Air Enthusiast Twenty-three, p.78.

[ae23_p47-8-4] Allen Air Enthusiast Twenty-three, pp. 47–48.

[avwk437_p70-5] Aviation April 1937, pp. 70–71

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