Grumman Goose

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G-21 Goose
Type	Amphibious transport
Manufacturer	Grumman
Maiden flight	1937
Primary users	United States Navy Royal Air Force U.S. Army Air Force
Number built	345
Variants	Grumman Widgeon

The Grumman G-21 Goose amphibious flying boat was designed as a ten-seat "commuter" plane for businessmen in the Long Island area. The Goose was Grumman’s first monoplane to fly, its first twin-engined aircraft and its first aircraft to enter commercial airline service. During World War II, the Goose became an effective transport for the US military and Coast Guard, as well as serving with many other air forces. During hostilities, the Goose took on an increasing number of combat and training roles. In postwar use, the adaptable little transport continued in use.

Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational service 3 Modifications 4 Operators 4.1 Military operators 5 The Grumman Goose in popular culture 6 Specifications (JRF Goose) 7 References 8 External links 9 Related content

[edit] Design and development

In 1937, the Grumman Model G-21 was designed as a light amphibian transport. The typical Grumman rugged construction was matched to an all-metal, high-winged monoplane powered by two 450-horsepower Pratt and Whitney Wasp Jr. nine-cylinder, air-cooled radial engines mounted on the leading edge of high-set wings. The deep fuselage served also as a hull and was equipped with hand-cranked retractable landing gear. The versatile fuselage provided generous interior space and allowed fitting for a either a transport or luxury airliner role. Having an amphibious configuration also allowed the G-21 to go just about anywhere.

[edit] Operational service

Envisioned as corporate or private "flying yachts" for Manhattan millionaires, initial production models normally carried two-three passengers and had a bar and small toilet installed. As well as being marketed to small air carriers, the G-21 was also promoted as a military transport. In 1938, the US Army Air Force purchased the type as the OA-9 (later, in the war years, examples bought from civilian owners were designated the OA-13A) the US Navy variants were called the JRF. The amphibian was soon adopted by the Coast Guard and, during World War II, it also served with the RCAF in transport, reconnaissance, rescue and training roles and for air-sea rescue duties by the RAF. It was while serving with the RAF that it received the name "Goose".

Returning to civilian service after the war, the Goose found use from the wilderness of Alaska to the sunny climes of Catalina.

A total of 345 were built, with about 60 still airworthy today, some of them in modified forms, such as the Turbo-Goose (see below).

[edit] Modifications

There were a number of modifications of the Goose, but the most numerous were those by McKinnon Enterprises, who made three different conversions. The first involved replacing the Goose's engines with two Lycoming GSO-480 piston engines. The second, named Turboprop Goose involved replacing the engines with two Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprops. The third and final variant was the Turbo-Goose, which was based on the "Turboprop Goose" described above, but with larger windows, and retractable floats on the wings.

Antilles Seaplanes is to begin manufacture of new technology versions of the Grumman Goose in 2007.

[edit] Operators

[edit] Military operators

•  Argentina
•  Bolivia
•  Brazil
•  Canada
•  Cuba
•  France
•  Japan
•  Paraguay
•  Peru
•  Portugal
•  Sweden
•  United Kingdom
•  United States

[edit] The Grumman Goose in popular culture

• In Jimmy Buffett's first novel, Where is Joe Merchant?, protagonist Frank Bama owned and operated a rebuilt Grumman Goose dubbed the Hemisphere Dancer. (The actual Hemisphere Dancer is a Grumman Albatross that belongs to Buffett and is now the centerpiece for his Margaritaville Cafe restaurant in Orlando, FL).
• The Grumman Goose was also seen in the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie Commando
• The Goose is also seen on the 1980s series, "Tales of the Gold Monkey", a TV adaptation of the movie "Only Angels Have Wings", with Stephen Collins.

[edit] Specifications (JRF Goose)

General characteristics

• Crew: two
• Length: 38 ft 4 in (11.7 m)
• Wingspan: 49 ft (14.9 m)
• Height: 12 ft (3.7 m)
• Wing area: 375 ft² (34.8 m²)
• Empty weight: 5,571 lb (2,527 kg)
• Loaded weight: 7,200 lb (3,273 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 8,200 lb (3,720 kg)
• Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior SB-2 air-cooled radials, 450 hp (340 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 184 mph (296 km/h)
• Range: 1,050 mi (1,690 km)
• Service ceiling: 21,000 ft (6,400 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,240 ft/min (380 m/min)
• Wing loading: 21.9 lb/ft² (106.9 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 0.11 hp/lb (0.18 kW/kg)

Armament

• 2 x .50-cal machine guns
• 2 x 250-lb depth charges

[edit] References

• Thruelsen, Richard. The Grumman Story. New York: Praeger Publishers, Inc., 1976. ISBN 0-275-54260-2.

[edit] External links

• G-21 History Page at Antilles Seaplanes
• grummangoose.com
• Grumman Goose at the Smithsonian
• Information and listing of many Geese.

[edit] Related content

Related development

• Grumman Widgeon

See also