Grumman G-44 Widgeon#Survivors

The Widgeon was originally designed for the civil market. It is smaller, but otherwise similar to 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 Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm.

The first prototype flew in 1940, and the first production aircraft went to the US Navy as an antisubmarine aircraft. In total, 276 were built by Grumman, 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, which gave it the service name Gosling.

File:Grumman J4F-1 V212 USCG Pensacola NAS FL 15.12.02R edited-2.jpg at Pensacola, Florida in 2002]]

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 {{GS|U-166|1941|2}} and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

However, in June 2001 the wreck of U-166 was found sitting near the wreck of SS Robert E. Lee by an oil exploration team; and the sinking of U-166 on July 30 (i.e. two days before the Widgeon flight) is now credited to patrol craft PC-566 escorting the Robert E. Lee.[http://www.uboat.net/boats/u166.htm "U-166."] uboat.net. Retrieved: 18 August 2010.

White's Widgeon is now thought to have made an unsuccessful attack against {{GS|U-171||2}}, 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.[http://www.uboat.net/boats/u171.htm "U-171."] uboat.net. Retrieved: 18 August 2010.

The sinking of a German U-boat by the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) was claimed by one of their larger aircraft on 11 July 1942. The Grumman G-44 Widgeon, armed with two depth charges and crewed by Captain Johnny Haggins and Major Wynant Farr, was scrambled when another CAP patrol radioed that they had encountered an enemy submarine, but were returning to base due to low fuel. After scanning the area, Farr spotted the U-boat cruising beneath the surface of the waves. Unable to accurately determine the depth of the vessel, Haggins and Ferr radioed the situation back to base and followed the enemy in hopes that it would rise to periscope depth. For three hours, the crew shadowed the submarine. Just as Haggins was about to return to base, the U-boat rose to periscope depth, and Haggins swung the aircraft around, aligned with the submarine and dove to {{convert|100|ft|m}}. Farr released one of the two depth charges, blowing the submarine's front out of the water. As it left an oil slick, Farr made a second pass and released the other charge. Debris appeared on the ocean's surface, confirming the U-boat's demise and the CAP's first kill.[http://coastalpatrol18.org/2012/01/16/history-of-cap-ww2-patrolling-our-coast/ Civil Air Patrol]{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |url=http://articles.philly.com/1991-10-24/news/25813727_1_u-boat-u-boat-civil-air-patrol |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017090236/http://articles.philly.com/1991-10-24/news/25813727_1_u-boat-u-boat-civil-air-patrol |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |title=A Clue Offered On Nazi U-boat Historians Say Sub Was Sunk By A Civil Air Patrol Plane |work=Philadelphia Daily News |first=Scott |last=Flanders |date=24 October 1991 |access-date=23 November 2015}}

File:Grumman G-44 Widgeon NC40011 at Garland Seaplane Base in 1947 (4).jpg

After the war, Grumman redesigned the aircraft to make it more suitable for civilian operations. A new hull improved its water handling, and six seats were installed. In total, 76 of the new G-44As were built by Grumman, the last being delivered on January 13, 1949. Another 41 were produced under license by the {{ill|Société de construction aéronavale|fr}} (SCAN) in La Rochelle, France, as the SCAN 30. Most of these ended up in the United States.

McKinnon Enterprises at Sandy, Oregon, converted over 70 Widgeons to "Super Widgeons". The conversion features replacing the engines with {{cvt|270|hp}} Avco Lycoming GO-480-B1D flat-six piston engines, and various other modifications, including modern avionics, three-bladed propellers, larger windows, improved soundproofing, emergency exits, and increased maximum takeoff weight. Retractable wingtip floats were optional.Taylor 1976, p. 338.

File:1945GrummanG44.jpg

;G-44

:Main production variant, 200 built (serial nos. 1201–1400) including J4F series military variants listed below.

File:Grumman G-44A Widgeon.jpg

;G-44A

:Improved postwar production variant with redesigned hull, 76 built (serial nos. 1401–1476.)

;J4F-1

:G-44 for the United States Coast Guard with three seats, 25 built.

;J4F-2

:United States Navy version of the J4F-1 with 5-seat interior, 131 built.

File:J4F-Grumman.jpg

;OA-14

:Fifteen G-44s impressed into wartime service with the United States Army Air Forces.

;OA-14A

:One new aircraft for the Corps of Engineers.

;Gosling I

:Fifteen J4F-2s transferred to the Royal Navy, later renamed Widgeon I

;B.S.6

:({{langx|th|บ.ส.๖}}) Royal Thai Armed Forces designation for the J4F.{{Cite web |title=Thai Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/thailand.html |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=designation-systems.net}}

File:GrummanG44A.jpg

;SCAN 30

:G-44A Licence-built in France using metric standards and not anodized as were original Grumman-built aircraft, 41 built (serial nos. 1–41.)

;PACE Gannet:

Pacific Aerospace Engineering Corporation conversions of S.C.A.N. 30s, powered by {{convert|300|hp|abbr=on}} Lycoming R-680-13 radial engines. Later known as the Gannet Super Widgeon

;{{BRA}}

:Brazilian Air Force operated 14 from 1942 to 1958[http://www.worldairforces.com/countries/brazil/brz.html World Air Forces – Historical Listings Brazil (BRZ)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018212416/http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/brazil/brz.html |date=2012-10-18 }}

;{{CUB}}

:Cuban Navy received four in 1952{{citation|url=http://www.worldairforces.com/countries/cuba/cub.html|title=World Air Forces – Historical Listings Cuba (CUB)|access-date=30 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125053029/http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/cuba/cub.html|archive-date=25 January 2012}}

;{{ISR}}

• Israeli Air Force operated two from 1948 to 1949{{citation|url=http://www.worldairforces.com/countries/israel/isr.html|title=World Air Forces – Historical Listings Israel (ISR)]|access-date=30 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125052222/http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/israel/isr.html|archive-date=25 January 2012}}

;{{POR}}

: Portuguese Navy operated 12 from 1942 to 1968{{citation|url=http://www.worldairforces.com/countries/portugal/por.html|title=World Air Forces – Historical Listings Portugal (POR)|access-date=30 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125060715/http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/portugal/por.html|archive-date=25 January 2012}}

;{{THA}}

:Royal Thai Navy operated five in 1951{{citation|url=http://www.worldairforces.com/countries/thailand/thl.html|title=World Air Forces – Historical Listings Thailand (THL)|access-date=30 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125054737/http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/thailand/thl.html|archive-date=25 January 2012}}

:Royal Thai Air Force operated five from 1951 to 1956

;{{UK}}

• Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm

;{{USA}}

• United States Army Air Corps
• United States Army Air Forces
• United States Coast Guard
• United States Navy
• Civil Air Patrol

;{{URY}}

: Uruguayan Navy operated one example from 1943 to 1979{{citation|url=http://www.worldairforces.com/countries/uruguay/uru.html|title=World Air Forces – Historical Listings Uruguay (URU)|access-date=30 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125022523/http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/uruguay/uru.html|archive-date=25 January 2012}}

;{{NOR}}

• Mørefly

;{{NZL}}

• Mount Cook Airline

• 1290 – UC-4F2 on static display at the Museu Aeroespacial in Rio de Janeiro.

• 28 – SCAN-30 airworthy with Mark Williston of Delta, British Columbia.{{cite web |last1=Goodall |first1=Geoff |title=Grumman / SCAN-30 |url=http://www.goodall.com.au/grumman-amphibians/grumman-scan30.pdf |website=Geoff Goodall's Aviation History Site |access-date=17 October 2022 |date=30 January 2017}}

• 120 – G-44 on static display at the Navy Museum in Lisbon.{{cite web |last1=Goodall |first1=Geoff |title=Grumman G-44 / J4F / OA-14 Widgeon & RAF Gosling |url=http://www.goodall.com.au/grumman-amphibians/grummanwidgeon.pdf |website=Geoff Goodall's Aviation History Site |access-date=17 October 2022 |date=1 December 2020}}
• 129 – G-44 on static display at the Museu do Ar in Sintra, Lisbon.

• 1439 - G-44A - Registers in New Zealand as ZK-CFA operating from Bay of Islands Airport and on display{{Cite web |last=Minty |first=Sir |date=2022-11-07 |title=NZ Civil Aircraft: Grumman Widgeon ZK-CFA at Kaitaia on 5-11-2022 |url=https://nzcivair.blogspot.com/2022/11/grumman-widgeon-at-kaitaia-on-5-11-2022.html |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=NZ Civil Aircraft}} at Kaitaia Airport.

• 1449 – G-44A on static display at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum in Bangkok.{{cite web |title=Building 1 |url=http://www.rtaf.mi.th/museum/BLDG1-2.HTM |website=Royal Thai Air Force Museum |access-date=17 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203203925/http://www.rtaf.mi.th/museum/BLDG1-2.HTM |archive-date=3 February 2011}}{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Grumman G-44A Widgeon, c/n 1449, c/r N86623 |url=http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=22898 |website=Aerial Visuals |access-date=17 October 2022}}

• 31 – SCAN 30 airworthy with Orlando Financial Corporation in Bear, Delaware.{{cite web |title=FAA Registry [N4453] |url=http://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N4453 |website=Federal Aviation Administration |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |access-date=17 October 2022}} It was used as De plane! De plane! in the television show Fantasy Island where it delivered guests to the island and was put up for sale at auction in April 2016.{{cite news |last1=Holman |first1=Gregory J. |title='De plane' from 'Fantasy Island' up for auction |url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/04/01/de-plane-fantasy-island-auction/82538326 |access-date=17 October 2022 |work=USA Today |date=1 April 2016}}
• 1312 – G-44 on display at the Alaska Aviation Museum in Anchorage, Alaska.{{cite web |title=Museum Exhibits |url=http://alaskaairmuseum.org/exhibits |website=Alaska Aviation Museum |access-date=17 October 2022}}
• 32976 – J4F-2 on static display at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.{{cite web |title=Grumman J4F-2 (E-175) Widgeon |url=http://pimaair.org/museum-aircraft/grumman-j4f-2 |website=Pima Air & Space Museum |access-date=17 October 2022}}
• V212 – J4F-1 on static display at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.{{cite web |title=J4F-1 Widgeon |url=http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=j4f_widgeon |website=National Naval Aviation Museum |access-date=17 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801203541/http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=j4f_widgeon |archive-date=1 August 2018}}

File:Grumman J4F-1 Widgeon 3-view line drawing.png

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=War Planes of the Second World War: Volume Five: Flying BoatsGreen 1968, p. 174.

|prime units?=imp

|genhide=

|crew=1

|capacity=4 passengers (as utility aircraft)

|length m=

|length ft=31

|length in=1

|span m=

|span ft=40

|span in=0

|height m=

|height ft=11

|height in=5

|wing area sqm=

|wing area sqft=245

|empty weight kg=

|empty weight lb=3240

|gross weight kg=

|gross weight lb=4525

|fuel capacity=

|eng1 number=2

|eng1 name=Ranger L-440-5

|eng1 type=air-cooled inverted six-cylinder inline engine

|eng1 kw=

|eng1 hp=200

|eng1 shp=

|eng1 kn=

|eng1 lbf=

|eng1 kn-ab=

|eng1 lbf-ab=

|prop blade number=

|prop name=

|prop dia m=

|prop dia ft=

|prop dia in=

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=

|max speed mph=153

|max speed kts=

|cruise speed kmh=

|cruise speed mph=138

|cruise speed kts=

|range km=

|range miles=920

|range nmi=

|ceiling m=

|ceiling ft=14600

|climb rate ms=

|climb rate ftmin=700

|more performance=

|guns=

|bombs=1 × {{cvt|200|lb|-1}} depth charge in anti-submarine role

|avionics=

}}

{{aircontent|

|related=

• Grumman G-21 Goose

|similar aircraft=

• Piaggio P.136
• Ellison-Mahon Gweduck

|lists=

• List of aircraft of World War II
• List of flying boats and floatplanes

|see also=

}}

;Notes

{{Reflist}}

;Bibliography

{{Refbegin}}

• Donald, David. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1997. {{ISBN|0-7607-0592-5}}.
• Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War: Volume Five; Flying Boats. London: Macdonald, 1968. {{ISBN|0-356-01449-5}}.
• Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1976. {{ISBN|0-354-00538-3}}.

{{Refend}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.grumman-widgeon.com Grumman Widgeon Owners Group]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20091226110250/http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Aircraft/Widgeon.html Fleet Air Arm: Grumman J4F Widgeon]}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081029072428/http://www.aviationtrivia.info/Grumman-Widgeon.php Grumman Widgeon]

{{Grumman aircraft}}

{{USAF amphibious aircraft}}

{{USN utility aircraft}}

{{Thai liaison aircraft designations}}

{{Authority control}}

Widgeon

Category:1940s United States civil utility aircraft

Category:Flying boats

Category:Amphibious aircraft

Category:High-wing aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1940

Category:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft

Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear