Grumman J2F Duck

Utility amphibian aircraft introduced in 1936

Overview

Grumman United States ICAO: J2F 1936–1945

The Grumman J2F Duck was initially designed and manufactured by Grumman as a single-engine amphibious biplane before production was taken over by Columbia Aircraft Corporation. The J2F Duck was in service as a utility and search and rescue aircraft with the United States Armed Forces from the mid-1930s until after the Second World War. It also served the Argentine Navy, the armed forces of Colombia, Mexico, and other independent civilian operators. A total number of 584 aircraft were built.

Live Fleet Activity (J2F)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
1 × Wright R-1820-54 Cyclone
Engine type
Piston
Power
900 hp · 671 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
34 ft 0 in  ·  10.37 m
Tail height
13 ft 11 in  ·  4.25 m
Fuselage diameter
4 ft 11 in  ·  1.50 m
Wing span
39 ft 1 in  ·  11.90 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
—
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
1,100 lb  ·  500 kg
Fuel capacity
220 gal · 800 L · 600 kg (AvGas)
Max cruise speed
170 kt  ·  196 mph  ·  315 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
61 kt  ·  70 mph  ·  113 km/h
Range
680 nm  ·  780 mi  ·  1,260 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
20,000 ft  ·  6,100 m
Rate of climb
1,500 ft/min  ·  8 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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Columbia J2F-6 Duck (Bu 36935)

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Operational Context

On April 2, 1936, the J2F-1 initial production version performed its first flight. It was fitted with a single Wright R-1820 Cyclone rated at 750 hp and was then delivered to the United States Navy. The J2F-2 was a United States Marine Corps variant with nose and dorsal gun, and the J2F-3, -4, and -5 varied in their engines.

The J2F-6 is a two-seat Columbia Aircraft built variant with an external length of 10.36 meters, a tail height of 4.25 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1.5 meters. It has a wingspan of 11.89 meters, a wing area of 38 square meters, and retractable main landing gear with a wheelbase of 5 meters. It has an empty weight of 2,486 kg, a gross weight of 3,493 kg, a maximum payload of 500 kg, and a fuel tank capacity of 215 US gal.

The aircraft is powered by a single Wright R-1820-54 Cyclone engine. It is a nine-cylinder single-row supercharged air-cooled radial piston engine with two overhead valves per cylinder with a sodium-filled exhaust valve, a single-speed General Electric centrifugal-type supercharger, a Stromberg downdraft carburetor with automatic mixture control, a dry-sump with one pressure and one scavenging pump oil system, and an air-cooling system. The engine produces a maximum takeoff thrust of 900 hp and drives a three-bladed constant-speed propeller.

The J2F Duck has a maximum speed of 170 knots, a cruise speed of 135 knots, and a stall speed of 61 knots. The travel range is 680 nautical miles. It can fly up to 20,000 feet and can climb at a rate of 1,500 feet per minute. The aircraft is loaded with a single Browning .30 cal machine gun on a flexible mount in the rear cockpit and 295 kg of bombs or depth charges.

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