Grumman G-44 Widgeon: Difference between revisions
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|unit cost = |
|unit cost = |
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|primary user = [[United States Navy]] |
|primary user = [[United States Navy]] |
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|more users = [[United States Army Air Force]] <br/>[[United States Coast Guard]] <br>[[Royal Navy]] |
|more users = [[United States Army Air Force]] <br/>[[United States Coast Guard]] <br />[[Royal Navy]] |
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|developed from = [[Grumman Goose]] |
|developed from = [[Grumman Goose]] |
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|variants with their own articles = |
|variants with their own articles = |
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The '''[[Grumman]] G-44 Widgeon''' is a small, six-person, twin-engine [[amphibious aircraft]]. It was designated '''J4F''' by the [[U.S. Navy]] and [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] and '''OA-14''' by the [[United States Army Air Corps]] and [[United States Army Air Forces]]. |
The '''[[Grumman]] G-44 Widgeon''' is a small, six-person, twin-engine [[amphibious aircraft]]. It was designated '''J4F''' by the [[U.S. Navy]] and [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] and '''OA-14''' by the [[United States Army Air Corps]] and [[United States Army Air Forces]]. |
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==Design and development== |
== Design and development == |
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The Widgeon was originally designed for the civil market. It is a smaller version of the Grumman's earlier [[Grumman Goose|G-21 Goose]], and was produced from 1941 to 1955. The aircraft was used during [[World War II]] as a small patrol and utility machine by the [[US Navy]], [[US Coast Guard]] and by the [[Royal Navy]]. |
The Widgeon was originally designed for the civil market. It is a smaller version of the Grumman's earlier [[Grumman Goose|G-21 Goose]], and was produced from 1941 to 1955. The aircraft was used during [[World War II]] as a small patrol and utility machine by the [[US Navy]], [[US Coast Guard]] and by the [[Royal Navy]]. |
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The first prototype flew in [[1940 in aviation|1940]], and the first production aircraft went to the [[US Navy]] as an [[anti-submarine aircraft]]. In total, 266 were built, including 176 for the military. During [[World War II]], they served with the US Navy, Coast Guard, [[Civil Air Patrol]] and Army Air Force, as well as with the British Royal Navy, who called it the "Gosling". |
The first prototype flew in [[1940 in aviation|1940]], and the first production aircraft went to the [[US Navy]] as an [[anti-submarine aircraft]]. In total, 266 were built, including 176 for the military. During [[World War II]], they served with the US Navy, Coast Guard, [[Civil Air Patrol]] and Army Air Force, as well as with the British Royal Navy, who called it the "Gosling". |
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==Operational history== |
== Operational history == |
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On [[August 1]] [[1942]], a J4F-1 flown by US Coast Guard Patrol Squadron 212 based out of Houma, Louisiana and flown by Chief Aviation Pilot Henry White spotted and attacked a German U-boat off the coast of Louisiana. White reported the submarine sunk, and he was subsequently credited with sinking ''U-166'' and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross; however, the wreck of ''U-166'' was found in June 2001 by an oil exploration team working for BP Amoco and Shell Oil Company, and the sinking of ''U-166'' is now generally credited to ''PC-556''.<ref>"U-166," http://www.uboat.net/boats/u166.htm</ref> White's aircraft is now thought to have made an unsuccessful attack against ''U-171'', a Type IXC U-boat identical to ''U-166'' that reported an air attack coincident with White's attack. ''U-171'' was undamaged by White's attack, but was sunk four months later in the Bay of Biscay.<ref>"U-171," http://www.uboat.net/boats/u171.htm</ref> |
On [[August 1]] [[1942]], a J4F-1 flown by US Coast Guard Patrol Squadron 212 based out of Houma, Louisiana and flown by Chief Aviation Pilot Henry White spotted and attacked a German U-boat off the coast of Louisiana. White reported the submarine sunk, and he was subsequently credited with sinking ''U-166'' and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross; however, the wreck of ''U-166'' was found in June 2001 by an oil exploration team working for BP Amoco and Shell Oil Company, and the sinking of ''U-166'' is now generally credited to ''PC-556''.<ref>"U-166," http://www.uboat.net/boats/u166.htm</ref> White's aircraft is now thought to have made an unsuccessful attack against ''U-171'', a Type IXC U-boat identical to ''U-166'' that reported an air attack coincident with White's attack. ''U-171'' was undamaged by White's attack, but was sunk four months later in the Bay of Biscay.<ref>"U-171," http://www.uboat.net/boats/u171.htm</ref> |
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[[McKinnon Enterprises]] converted some Widgeons to "Super Widgeons". The conversion features replacing the engines with [[Lycoming GO-480]] flat six [[piston engines]], and various other modifications, such as: |
[[McKinnon Enterprises]] converted some Widgeons to "Super Widgeons". The conversion features replacing the engines with [[Lycoming GO-480]] flat six [[piston engines]], and various other modifications, such as: |
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*Modern [[avionics]] |
* Modern [[avionics]] |
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*3-blade [[propeller]]s |
* 3-blade [[propeller]]s |
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*Larger windows |
* Larger windows |
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*Improved [[soundproofing]] |
* Improved [[soundproofing]] |
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*Emergency exits |
* Emergency exits |
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*Increased [[Maximum Takeoff Weight]] |
* Increased [[Maximum Takeoff Weight]] |
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*Retractable wing-tip floats (optional) |
* Retractable wing-tip floats (optional) |
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==Operators== |
== Operators == |
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===Military operators=== |
=== Military operators === |
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;{{BRA}} |
;{{BRA}} |
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;{{ISR}} |
;{{ISR}} |
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;{{UK}} |
;{{UK}} |
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;{{USA}} |
;{{USA}} |
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*[[United States Army Air Corps|USAAC]] |
* [[United States Army Air Corps|USAAC]] |
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*[[United States Army Air Forces|USAAF]] |
* [[United States Army Air Forces|USAAF]] |
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*[[United States Coast Guard|US Coast Guard]] |
* [[United States Coast Guard|US Coast Guard]] |
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*[[United States Navy|US Navy]] |
* [[United States Navy|US Navy]] |
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*[[Civil Air Patrol]] |
* [[Civil Air Patrol]] |
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;{{URY}} |
;{{URY}} |
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==Survivors== |
== Survivors == |
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There is an ex-Coast Guard Widgeon on display at the [[Pensacola Naval Air Museum]] in [[Pensacola, Florida|Pensacola]], [[Florida]]. |
There is an ex-Coast Guard Widgeon on display at the [[Pensacola Naval Air Museum]] in [[Pensacola, Florida|Pensacola]], [[Florida]]. |
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==Specifications (G-44A)== |
== Specifications (G-44A) == |
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{{aircraft specifications |
{{aircraft specifications |
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== |
== References == |
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<references/> |
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== See also == |
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{{aircontent| |
{{aircontent| |
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|related= |
|related= |
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{{aviation lists}} |
{{aviation lists}} |
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[[Category:Grumman aircraft]] |
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[[Category:Seaplanes and flying boats]] |
[[Category:Seaplanes and flying boats]] |
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[[Category:United States civil utility aircraft 1940-1949]] |
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[[Category:United States Coast Guard Aviation]] |
[[Category:United States Coast Guard Aviation]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:United States civil utility aircraft 1940-1949]] |
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[[de:Grumman G-44]] |
[[de:Grumman G-44]] |
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Revision as of 17:55, 23 March 2008
The Grumman G-44 Widgeon is a small, six-person, twin-engine amphibious aircraft. It was designated J4F by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and OA-14 by the United States Army Air Corps and United States Army Air Forces.
Design and development
The Widgeon was originally designed for the civil market. It is a smaller version of the Grumman's earlier G-21 Goose, and was produced from 1941 to 1955. The aircraft was used during World War II as a small patrol and utility machine by the US Navy, US Coast Guard and by the Royal Navy.
The first prototype flew in 1940, and the first production aircraft went to the US Navy as an anti-submarine aircraft. In total, 266 were built, including 176 for the military. During World War II, they served with the US Navy, Coast Guard, Civil Air Patrol and Army Air Force, as well as with the British Royal Navy, who called it the "Gosling".
Operational history
On August 1 1942, a J4F-1 flown by US Coast Guard Patrol Squadron 212 based out of Houma, Louisiana and flown by Chief Aviation Pilot Henry White spotted and attacked a German U-boat off the coast of Louisiana. White reported the submarine sunk, and he was subsequently credited with sinking U-166 and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross; however, the wreck of U-166 was found in June 2001 by an oil exploration team working for BP Amoco and Shell Oil Company, and the sinking of U-166 is now generally credited to PC-556.[1] White's aircraft is now thought to have made an unsuccessful attack against U-171, a Type IXC U-boat identical to U-166 that reported an air attack coincident with White's attack. U-171 was undamaged by White's attack, but was sunk four months later in the Bay of Biscay.[2]
After the war, the type was redesigned to make it more suitable for civilian operations. A new hull improved its water handling, and six seats were added. A total of 50 of the new G-44A were built. Another 40 were produced in France as the SCAN-30; however, most of these ended up in the United States.
McKinnon Enterprises converted some Widgeons to "Super Widgeons". The conversion features replacing the engines with Lycoming GO-480 flat six piston engines, and various other modifications, such as:
- Modern avionics
- 3-blade propellers
- Larger windows
- Improved soundproofing
- Emergency exits
- Increased Maximum Takeoff Weight
- Retractable wing-tip floats (optional)
Operators
Military operators
Survivors
There is an ex-Coast Guard Widgeon on display at the Pensacola Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, Florida.
Specifications (G-44A)
Data from {name of first source}
General characteristics
- Crew: one, pilot
- Capacity: 5 passengers
Performance
References
- ^ "U-166," http://www.uboat.net/boats/u166.htm
- ^ "U-171," http://www.uboat.net/boats/u171.htm
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists