Grumman G-44 Widgeon
by Priscilla Patterson
The smallest of Grumman's amphibians developed for civil use, the Widgeon was conceived as a light personal and executive transport, following the success of the larger Goose.
The prototype Widgeon flew for the first time in July 1940, but America's
impending entry into the Second World War stalled plans for civilian production. The first
production Widgeon was the military J4F1, a three seat anti submarine patrol and utility
version for the U.S. Navy. The U.S. Navy (under designation J4F) and U.S. Army Air Corps
ordered large numbers of Widgeons (under the designation OA-14) throughout the war years,
others saw service with the U.S. Coast Guard (In August 1942 a Widgeon scored the first
Coast Guard kill of an enemy submarine when a J4F stationed in Louisiana sank the U-166
off of the Passes of Mississippi) and 15 were supplied to Britain's Royal Navy, that
service originally calling the aircraft Gosling. In all, 176 Widgeons were built for
military service during the conflict.
Grumman Widgeon (in Canadian registry)
After the war, Grumman refined the Widgeon for commercial use by altering the hull profile
for improved handling on water and increasing seating capacity for up to six.
Grumman built 50 of these as the G-44A, while a further 40 were built in France as
the SCAN-30. Most SCAN-30s were delivered to customers in the USA.
De Plane! De Plane!
Recently the actual plane used in the hit TV series "Fantasy Island" was
offered for sale on Ebay.com. It was sold for $375,000.
The plane was featured in over 150 Episodes on the ABC
program (from 1977 - 1984) and continues to be seen today in re-runs. It was one of
twelve Mansdorf Conversions built, using the Rotary Lycoming Engine, and only one of three
remaining. And, it is the only one still flying. The signatures of every guest
star to appear on the show are in the cabin.
