Grumman Goose

Photos by: Bill Coffman

           

                       

By special request, I'm downloading my photos of assorted Grumman Geese. Most of them have post-war modifications like 3-bladed props, and polished spinners. Some even have retracting floats. These are examples of an aircraft that has been in active use in some form since it was designed in 1937. Examples were flown in most countries of the world, and most remain fully functional Amphibians.

 The Grey example in 1942 US Navy Markings was photographed at Oshkosh. It has a JRF-5 BuAer No, and was registered as N2752A. I doubt that it had polished spinners in 1942. It does have a fairly authentic cockpit. Most of the engine controls and instruments are on the cockpit ceiling.

 The photos of the RCMP Goose were taken at the Abbotsford BC Airshow sometime around 1990, while it was still on active service. It was originally a JRF-5, BuAer 37825, and was then in RCAF service as #391 G21A
Goose II. Somewhere along the way it was upgraded with 3-blade props, those nice shiny spinners, and retractable floats. A photo on the Canada Aviation Museum website shows a very modernized instrument panel. It is now on display at the CAvM in a slightly different paint scheme. (Or at least it was--I didn't see it on our last visit, a few weeks ago.)

 Grumman G21A Goose II (From the CaVM website)

    * Period: Postwar (1945-1959)
    * Uses: Utility
    * First Flight: May 29, 1937 (G-21)
    * Display Status: In Storage Area < assembled and accessible.

The Goose was the first twin-engine Grumman design expressly designed for the civilian market. It flew for the first time in 1937 and remained in production until 1945.

It established an outstanding record for its ability to operate commercially from land and water bases, and was used throughout the world by civilian and military operators. It has given extensive service in Canada, particularly to the coastal areas of British Columbia.
 

Museum Example

    * Registration #: CF-MPG
    * Manufacturer: Grumman Aircraft Engineering
    * Manufacture Date: 1944
    * Construction #: B 77
    * Aquisition Date: 1995
    * Provenance: Donation from RCMP and British Columbia government

The Museumıs aircraft entered service with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1944. It was then operated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police throughout Canada from 1946 to 1994, serving in continuous public use longer than any other Canadian aircraft.

Its police work included searching for missing persons, missing or wanted boats and vehicles, medical transfers, and routine transportation duties. In recognition of its outstanding service to Canada, the aircraft was donated to the Museum in 1995 by the RCMP and the B.C. Provincial Government, after a campaign by the Museum and support by local enthusiasts in British Columbia, to keep it in Canada.
Specifications

Wing Span:
14.9 m (49 ft) Length:
11.6 m (38 ft 3 in) Height:
3.7 m (12 ft 2 in) Weight, Empty:
2 413 kg (5,320 lb) Weight, Gross:
3 402 kg (7,500 lb) Cruising Speed:
282 km/h (175 mph) Max Speed:
314 km/h (195 mph) at sea level Rate of Climb:
454 m (1,490 ft)/min Service Ceiling:
7,315 m (24,000 ft) Range:
1,280 km (795 miles) Power Plant:
Two Pratt and Whitney R-985-14B Wasp Jr., 450 hp, radial engines

 The other white Goose was photographed at the home of the Valiant Air Command in Titusville Florida, near Cape Canaveral. I don't know the provenance of this machine, but it was still in service when I took the photos in 1997. It also has the full modernization make over with retracting floats.

Here is the description of the JRF-3 Goose that I photographed in the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, right off their website.

http://naval.aviation.museum/images/libheader.jpg

GOOSE (JRF-3)

Appearing in 1937, the JRF "Goose" was the first in a long line of amphibian flying boats produced by Grumman Aircraft Corporation for military and commercial use. Equipped with main and tail wheel landing gear which
retracted into the fuselage, the high-wing aircraft was also capable of carrying six to seven passengers. Variants of the "Goose" ranged from the JRF-1 to the JRF-6 series with the first production models being delivered
to the Navy in late 1939 and to the Marines and Coast Guard shortly thereafter. Under the Lend Lease Act, 54 of the more than 300 produced were programmed for Great Britain as a navigation trainer. While provisions were
made for the carriage of two 250-pound bombs on wing racks, the primary duties within the Navy were as a utility transport, to tow targets, as a photo aircraft, and navigation training. Some of them were provided with
autopilots and anti-icing equipment for use by the Coast Guard in northern waters.

The Museum's aircraft is a JRF-3 (BuNo V190) obtained from Glen Hyde of Roanoke, Texas.

Name: GOOSE
Designation: JRF-3
Manufacturer: Grumman Aircraft
Type: Utility, Training
Crew: Two pilots plus 4-7 passengers
Power Plant: Two 450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-6
Dimensions: Span 49'; length 38'
Weight: 8,000 lbs gross
Speed: 201 mph maximum
Range: 640 miles
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  The yellow and black Goose is an early, pre-war version that was used as an amphibious yacht by a wealthy Gentleman. It now holds a place of pride in the rotunda of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C