JRF-6 Goose

The Grumman JRF‑6 Goose is a twin‑engine amphibious aircraft that first flew in 1937 and quickly became a versatile workhorse for both military and civilian operators. Developed from the earlier JRF‑5 model, the Goose featured a reinforced hull, retractable landing gear and a more powerful Wright R‑1820 radial engine, allowing it to carry up to eight passengers or 2,500 pounds of cargo while taking off from water or conventional runways. During World II the United States Navy designated it the JRF‑6 and employed it for transport, liaison, rescue and anti‑submarine patrol duties in the Atlantic, Pacific and Caribbean theaters. Post‑war, the aircraft found a long service life with airlines, oil companies and remote‑area services, prized for its reliability, short‑field performance and ability to operate where no ports existed. Only a few hundred were built, but the Goose’s rugged design set a standard for amphibious transport that persists in modern seaplanes. Its legacy is evident in the continued demand for restored examples at airshows and its influence on later Grumman designs such as the Kingfisher and the Albatross. Today, the JRF‑6 remains a beloved icon among vintage aircraft enthusiasts, and its performance specifications continue to be studied in naval aviation curricula.