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]
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JF Duck | |
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Grumman JF-2 Duck in United States Coast Guard service | |
Role | Utility amphibian Type of aircraft |
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 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]
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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.[citation needed]
Argentina
Data from [6]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
USN/USMC utility aircraft designations 1935–1962 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Utility (J) (1935–1955) |
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Utility transport (JR) |
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Utility (U) (1955–1962) |
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