Grumman Goose Totally Explained

Everything about G-21 Goose totally explained

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.

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 fuselage also proved versatile as it provided generous interior space that allowed fitting for either a transport or luxury airliner role. Having an amphibious configuration also allowed the G-21 to go just about anywhere, and elaborate plans were made to market it as an amphibian airliner. Some of them had a hatch in the nose which could be left open while flying. It was quite a thrill to stand in it when landing or taking off from the water!

Operational history

Envisioned as corporate or private "flying yachts" for Manhattan millionaires, initial production models normally carried two to 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 designated the JRF.
   The amphibian was soon adopted by the Coast Guard and, during World War II, it also served with the RCAF in the transport, reconnaissance, rescue and training roles, and used for air-sea rescue duties by the RAF. The RAF, in a common naming convention with all of its aircraft, designated it "Goose".
   On 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).

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.

Operators

Military operators

;

Governmental operators

United States Fish and Wildlife Service operated two aircraft.

Civil operators

Asiatic Petroleum

British Guiana

British Guiana Airways

Air B.C.

Almon Landair Ltd

European Coastal Airways

H.J. O'Connell Supplies

Oakley Air Ltd Canada

Pacific Coastal Airlines

Sioux Narrows Airways

West Coast Air Sevices

Koninklijke Nederlandsch-Indische Luchtvaart Maatschappij

Yaukuve Resort

Loftleiðir

;

Aero Accessories Inc.

Air Metal Fabricators

Alaska Coastal Airlines

Alaska Coastal-Ellis Airlines

Catalina Channel Airlines

PenAir

Virgin Islands Seaplane Shuttle

Waterlines Ltd

Webber Airlines

Specifications (JRF Goose)

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 Goose is prominent on the 1980s series, "Tales of the Gold Monkey," a TV series starring Stephen Collins, inspired by the movie Only Angels Have Wings.

A Grumman Goose is piloted by Rae Dawn Chong's character, Cindy (an off-duty flight attendant), throughout the October 1985 action release, "Commando_(film)," a "20th Century Fox" motion picture starring "Arnold Schwarzenegger" and "Rae Dawn Chong". The occupants during the first flight of the Goose are Army Special Forces Colonel (Retired) John Matrix (Schwarzenegger) and Cindy. The second flight has only Cindy aboard. The third and final flight in the closing sequence and credits of the film includes Matrix, Cindy and the character played by "Alyssa Milano," Jenny (Matrix's young kidnapped and later rescued daughter).Further Information

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