J4F-2 Widgeon

The Grumman J4F‑2 Widgeon was a compact, twin‑engine amphibious aircraft introduced in the early 1940s to meet the United States Navy’s demand for a light utility plane capable of operating from water and land. Developed from the earlier JRF‑1 prototype, the J4F‑2 first flew in 1940 and entered production that same year, with over 700 units built before the program ended in 1946. Powered by two 450‑hp Pratt & Whitney R‑985 Wasp Junior radial engines, the Widgeon could cruise at 180 mph, reach a ceiling of 15,500 ft and carry up to five passengers or a modest cargo load, while its retractable landing gear and hull‑mounted stabilizing floats allowed seamless transitions between runway and sea. The aircraft’s corrugated aluminum skin and robust air‑cooled engines gave it durability in harsh wartime environments, earning service with the Navy, Army Air Forces, and Allied forces for reconnaissance, liaison, rescue and transport missions. After the war, many surplus Widgeons entered civilian hands, becoming popular for coastal charter, bush flying and early airline service. The J4F‑2’s versatility demonstrated the practicality of amphibious designs and helped shape post‑war general aviation, leaving a lasting legacy in both military and civilian aviation history.

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