Grumman JRF Goose in Flight |
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The Grumman JRF Goose was originally developed as a civil transport aircraft, but saw service in the US Navy, Coast Guard and in Britain and Canada as a utility transport, coastal patrol aircraft and navigation trainer.
The original aircraft was produced in 1937, as the Grumman G-21 Goose. It was a flying boat with a high wing, two step hull, retractable undercarriage and fixed floats under the wing tips. It had a crew of two and could carry six or seven passengers. It entered production as the G-21A, with more powerful engines.
XJ3F-1
In 1938 the US Navy ordered a single example of a modified version of the aircraft, the Grumman G-26, with the Naval designation XJ3F-1, putting it in the same sequence as the J2F Duck and J4F Widgeon. However all production aircraft were placed into the utility transport category, so became the JRF.
JRF-1
The Navy then placed an order for twenty aircraft, which were all originally to be delivered as the JRF-1. This was a seven seat transport aircraft. Only ten were delivered as the JRF-1, and the other ten were completed as the JRF-4 (Grumman G-39), which could carry light bombs. After the US entry into the war two civilian G-21 Geese were impressed into the Navy and were designated as JRF-1s.
JRF-1A
Five of the original JRF-1s were later converted into target tugs and photographic aircraft, becoming the JRF-1A.
JRF-2
The US Coast Guard ordered ten Geese in 1939-40. Of these seven were delivered as the JRF-2 (Grumman G-39), presumably with the same bomb racks as the JRF-4.
JRF-3
The last three Coast Guard aircraft were completed as the JRF-3, which had anti-icing equipment and an autopilot and was for use in Arctic waters.
JRF-4
The last ten aircraft from the original order for twenty JRF-1s were instead completed as the JRF-4 (Grumman G-39). These were similar to the -1, but could carry two 250lb bombs or depth charges under the wings, allowing them to be used on anti-submarine warfare patrols. Two more JRF-4s were produced from Geese impressed into the Navy after the US entry into the war.
JRF-5
The JRF-5 (Grumman G-38) was the main production version, with a total of 184 (including sub-variants) built. Production began in 1941. The JRF-5 had newer engines and could carry cameras for survey work.
JRF-5G
Twenty-four of the JRF-5s went to the Coast Guard, as the HRF-5G.
JRF-6B
The JRF-6B was produced for lend lease. It was similar to the JRF-5 but was equipped to operate as a navigation trainer. Fifty were produced, of which 44 went to Britain as the Goose IA, one to Bolivia and five to the USAAF, where they became the OA-9.
Goose I
This designation was given to 16 JRF-5s that went to Canada and 4 that went to Britain.
Goose IA
This designation was given to 44 JRF-6Bs that were delivered to Britain under Lend Lease. Msot were used at Piarco in the British West Indies.
Engine: Two Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-6s
Power: 450hp each
Crew: 2 or 3, with 4 to 7 passengers
Span: 49ft
Length: 38ft 6in
Height: 16ft 2in
Empty weight: 5,425lb
Gross weight: 8,000lb
Maximum take-off weight:
Max speed: 201mph at 5,000ft
Climb Rate: 1,100ft/ min
Service ceiling: 21,300ft
Endurance:
Range 640 miles
Armament:
Bomb load: Two 250lb bombs or depth charge under wings