NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
Grumman Widgeon G-44 aircraft were the smallest sea planes produced by their manufacturer. One first flew on July 22, 1940.
With the U.S. entry into World War II, the sea planes were purchased by the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy for use in search and rescue, as utility transports and trainers. Eventually even the U.S. Army Air Corps utilized this small, robust aircraft, primarily for observation purposes.
The Coast Guard designated the aircraft the J4F4, the Navy designation was J4F-2, and the Army designated the aircraft as the OA-14.
When the war ended, the Grumman Widgeon continued in producing for the civil aviation market.
Power for the original aircraft was by two Ranger engines with a rated output of 200 hp each. A pair of fixed pitch propellers of wooden construction were originally chosen. The engine/propeller combination produced limited thrust and the propellers were quickly replaced by ones made from metal.
Although the metal propellers helped produce a bit more thrust, by all accounts the original aircraft was under powered. Its greatest virtue was robust construction, enabling the aircraft to withstand numerous landings in less than calm waters.
After World War II, lighter, more powerful engines became available to propel the sea plane. One of the most used engines was the Lycoming GO-480 producing 270 hp. When fitted to the Widgeon the aircraft became a pleasure to fly.
The sturdy sea plane became a favorite corporate aircraft for VIP transportation to areas needing a smaller transport.
A total of 345 of the aircraft were manufactured. It is estimated that about 35 are still flying throughout the world.
amphibian
pilot + five
Ranger
2 x 200 hp.
3,200 lbs.
4,500 lbs.
31' 1"
40' 0"
128 mph
155 mph
920 fpm
14,500 feet
800 miles
7/22/40
1941
Radio Control Airplane
G & P Sales rc Grumman Widgeon.
Radio Control Airplanes:
Pictured above and below is the magnificent 1/4 scale Grumman Widgeon rc airplane built by Al Franklin, flown by Doug Imes, and sold by G & P Sales.
G & P Sales has two sizes of the rc Grumman Widgeon kit for sale. The 1/4 scale kit has a wing span of 120". It includes a fiberglass fuselage and foam core wings. For power you will need a pair of G38 or similar engines. All up weight is between 40 and 45 lbs.
G & P Sales sells a smaller rc Grumman Widgeon kit. It contains a fiberglass fuselage, foam core wings, and all the wood necessary to complete the rc airplane.
Wingspan is 81". Suggested power comes from .40 to .52 two cycle or .52 four cycle engines.
Pictured second below is Carl Laffert's rc Grumman Widgeon built from modified c/l model plans. It is in USCG colors and is powered by a pair of Magnum .52 four cycle engines.
The next picture is of the 1/4 scale Grumman Widgeon rc airplane built by Chip Mull. It is powered by G-38 engines.
The last picture on this page is the colorful rc Grumman Widgeon EP built from drawings found on line by Rotorheid of RC Groups. Power comes from a pair of Manta Ray motors.
Kit Cutters has the rc Grumman Widgeon kit for sale. It is from RC Modeler Magazine plans. Wing span is 80". Recommended for power are .61 engines. The kit design is by Irwin Ohlsson.
Kit Cutters has rc Grumman Widgeon plans from Vintage RC. It also has a wingspan of 80". You will need engines from .45 to .60 to power it.
Have you built a rc Grumman Widgeon, or can you recommend one? Email us.
Grumman Widgeon
