Grumman J4F-1/2 Widgeon/Gosling Naval Fighters (9798989950973) Softcover by Ginter Books

Naval Fighters Number 123: Grumman J4F-1/2 Widgeon/Gosling -(9798989950973)

Features

• 40 pages
• Over 140 photos and drawings
• Softcover

Grummans success with its famous JRF/G-21 Goose was great that Grumman saw the need for a less costly smaller version that targeted smaller companies executives celebrities and sportsmen. This became the G-44 Widgeon. It cost about $30000 which was 1/2 the price of a Goose. Thirty were built for civilian customers by 7 December 1941 after which most of these were impressed into USAAC service or the Civil Air Patrol. Just prior to WWII the Coast guard ordered 25 as J4F-1s which differed from the G-44 by having a upper fuselage stretcher hatch instead of a cabin door. During the war the USCG used these and 11 Navy J4F-2s on anti-submarine patrols. Also 12 were purchased by Portugal 131 J4F-2s with cabin doors went to the Navy 17 were Lend Leased to England as Gosling and one was acquired by Paraguay. Brazil also received 14 J4F-2s. Post-war Widgeons were operated by Thailand's and Israel's military too.