When discussing great aircraft one almost invariably talks about fighters, attack aircraft, bombers, and maybe even cargo and transport planes. The Grumman JF and J2F Ducks were none of these. Still, the single-engine floatplanes were superb aircraft by almost any criteria. Aviation historian Robert F. Dorr wrote, “At one time or another, the Duck was used for almost any military task, performing utility, transport, reconnaissance and even bombing missions.”1
The U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard procured more than 600 of these floatplanes, developed in response to a Navy requirement for the utility role on board aircraft carriers and in utility squadrons. Responding to the Navy, the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation on Long Island, New York, produced the XJF-1—“X” for experimental, “J” for utility, and “F” for Grumman. The basic aircraft resembled the pioneer Grumman fighter, the FF-1, which first flew in late 1931.2
The XJF-1 biplane aircraft had a large, distinctive centerline float faired into the underside of the fuselage; the main wheels retracted into the float. Thus, the biplane amphibian was equally at home on land and water, and with a tailhook fitted in some models could operate on board carriers. Small, fixed underwing floats were provided for water operation. The equi-span, fabric-skin metal wings were staggered; the metal fuselage had an enclosed cockpit for two, while two passengers could be seated side-by-side or a litter could be accommodated in the lower fuselage. A single Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engine powered the aircraft.
The prototype XJF-1 first flew on 4 May 1933. After some modifications to correct instability, early the following year the Navy ordered 27 JF-1 aircraft with the first fleet deliveries a year later to Scouting Squadron 3 on board the aircraft carrier Lexington (CV-2). Fourteen similar aircraft were quickly ordered for the Coast Guard as JF-2, one went to the Marine Corps, and eight were purchased by Argentina for naval service. Soon given the moniker “Duck,” the Grumman amphibian was a great success.
An improved model developed specifically for carrier use was provided with catapult points and arresting hook. The first of these was flown on 25 June 1935, as the J2F-1. More variants followed, most with improved engines. In December 1935 a Marine JF-2 set an unofficial speed record of 191 mph in the single-engine amphibian class.
The first armed variant was the J2F-2 with a single, forward-firing .30-caliber Browning machine gun, and another fitted on a swivel mount in the rear compartment. The Marines procured 30 armed J2F-2 models followed by 20 unarmed J2F-3 Navy variants built as “admiral barges” to transport flag officers; these usually were painted blue and silver and had “plush” interiors. With minor changes and more powerful engines the J2F series reached the -6 model. Some aircraft had underwing racks for light bombs, with some upgraded to carry two 325-pound depth charges.
The U.S. Army Air Forces evaluated a couple of these aircraft as the OA-12B, but no procurement followed. The Argentine Navy bought a total of 12 aircraft.
By the late 1930s Ducks were found on board aircraft carriers; in patrol wings, utility squadrons, and reserve units, as well as at virtually all naval, Marine, and Coast Guard air stations. When Japanese carrier-based aircraft attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, about 185 Ducks were in service. Four Marine and 19 Navy J2Fs were on Oahu (Coast Guard aviation having been incorporated into the Navy a month earlier). More Ducks were on board the Pacific Fleet’s carriers and operating with seaplane tenders.
In the Philippines, Patrol Wing 10, operating from the ex-carrier Langley (AV-3) and other seaplane tenders, had five J2F Ducks. Fighting against overwhelming Japanese forces, the wing lost most of its PBY Catalinas and four of the Ducks.
Beyond the missions listed above, the biplanes served
on antisubmarine patrols and as target tugs, undertook aerial surveying, flew photo missions, and, of course, were used extensively for search and rescue. As the war progressed they were seen less and less as more advanced aircraft undertook the Navy’s various utility missions.
Meanwhile, Grumman continued producing J2Fs until 1942; the biggest production run by Grumman was 144 J2F-5 variants. By that time the Navy wanted Grumman to concentrate on fighter aircraft, especially the splendid F6F Hellcat, which would go aboard all aircraft carriers (CV-CVL) and many “jeep” carriers (CVE). Thus, production of the J2F was reassigned to the Columbia Aircraft Corporation of Valley Stream, Long Island. Columbia began deliveries of the J2F-6 variant in 1943 and built 330 aircraft by 1945, when Duck production ended. Grumman and Columbia produced an aggregate of 633 aircraft for U.S. service plus the 12 Ducks built by Grumman for Argentina.
The U.S. Army Air Forces evaluated several more Ducks, assigning the OA-12 designation. After the war several ex-Navy Ducks were transferred to Colombia and Mexico. This was small change compared to the massive transfer of U.S. naval aircraft during and after World War II to scores of countries.
The JF/J2F Ducks were remarkable aircraft. While Grumman became world-renowned for fighter and attack aircraft, the Ducks established the firm as a world leader in the development of amphibians.
1. Robert F. Dorr, “Duck was versatile amphibian for Navy in 1930s, 1940s,” Navy Times, 24 December 2001, 33.
2. For a comprehensive account of the aircraft, see Rene J. Francillon, Grumman Aircraft since 1929 (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1989), 64–76.
Grumman J2F-6 Duck
Type: Utility
Crew: 2 plus 2 passengers or litter
Gross weight: 7,290 pounds
Engine: 1 Wright Cyclone R-1820-54 | 1,050 horsepower
Length: 34 feet
Wingspan: 39 feet
Wing area: 409 square feet
Height: 12 feet, 4 inches
Max. speed: 176 mph at sea level | 190 mph at 14,100 feet
Range: 850 miles at 108 mph
Ceiling: 26,700 feet
Armament: 3 .50-caliber machine guns | 2 325-pound depth charges