Grumman JF Duck

{{Infobox aircraft

|name= JF Duck

|image= File:Grumman JF2 3.jpg{{!}}border

|caption= Grumman JF-2 Duck in United States Coast Guard service

|type= Utility amphibian

|national_origin= United States

|manufacturer= Grumman

|designer=

|first_flight= 24 April 1933

|introduction= 1935

|retired=

|status=

|primary_user= United States Navy

|more_users= United States Marine Corps
Argentine Navy
United States Coast Guard

|produced=

|number_built= 48

|developed_from=

|variants= Grumman J2F Duck

|developed_into=

}}

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.Allen 1983, p. 49.

Design and development

The Grumman JF Duck was manufactured from 1934 until 1936, when production switched to the J2F Duck and later variants.Jordan, Corey C. [http://www.planesandpilotsofww2.webs.com/Grumman2.html "Grumman's Ascendency: Chapter Two."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325044407/http://www.planesandpilotsofww2.webs.com/Grumman2.html |date=2012-03-25 }} Planes and Pilots Of World War Two, 2000. Retrieved: 22 July 2011. 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.

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.Thruelson 'The Grumman Story' 1976, p. 77.

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, 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|date=April 2017}}

Variants

;XJF-1: Prototype with 700 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1535-62 engine, one built (BuNo 9218).

File:Grumman JF-1 Duck at NACA Langley Summer 1934.jpg

;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, 14 built with the first entering service in October 1934 (BuNo 0266, 00371-00372, 01647, USCG V141-V155).{{Cite web |title=Grumman JF-2 "Duck" |url=https://www.history.uscg.mil/browse-by-topic/Aviation/Article/3017301/grumman-jf-2-duck/#:~:text=Information:,two%20new%20records%20for%20speed. |access-date=January 6, 2025 |website=www.history.uscg.mil/}}

;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.Allen Air Enthusiast Twenty-three, p.78.

Operators

Argentine Navy – Operated eight G-20s.Allen Air Enthusiast Twenty-three, pp. 47–48.

;{{USA}}

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

Specifications (JF-2)

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Aviation April 1937, pp. 70–71

|prime units?=imp

|crew=2–4

|capacity=

|length ft=33

|length in=0

|length note=

|span ft=39

|span in=0

|height ft=12

|height in=8

|wing area sqft=409.0

|empty weight kg=

|empty weight lb=4100

|empty weight note=

|gross weight kg=

|gross weight lb=5760

|gross weight note=

|fuel capacity={{convert|150|USgal|impgal L|abbr=on}}

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp

|eng1 type=14-cyl two row air-cooled radial piston engine

|eng1 hp=775

|eng1 note=

|max speed mph=185

|max speed note=at {{convert|7000|ft|m|abbr=on}}

|cruise speed mph=155

|stall speed mph=63

|range miles=620

|ceiling ft=22000

|climb rate ftmin=1600

}}

References

=Notes=

=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.
[http://archive.aviationweek.com/issue/19370401/#!&pid=66 "Specifications of American Airplanes"]. Aviation, Volume 36, No. 4, April 1937, pp. 66–71. (Registration required)
{{cite journal |last1=Lezon|first1=Ricardo Martin|last2=Stitt|first2=Robert M.|name-list-style=amp |title=Eyes of the Fleet: Seaplanes in Argentine Navy Service, Part 2|journal=Air Enthusiast |date=January–February 2004 |issue=109 |pages=46–59 |issn=0143-5450}}
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}}.