Grumman G-21
| Grumman Goose | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | ||
| Role | Reconnaissance, air-sea rescue | |
| Crew | 2 | |
| First Flight | May 29, 1937 | |
| Entered Service | July 3, 1937 | |
| Manufacturer | Grumman | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 38 ft 4 in | 11.7 m |
| Wingspan | 49 ft 0 in | 14.9 m |
| Height | 12 ft 0 in | 3.7 m |
| Wing Area | 375 ft² | 34.8 m² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 5,571 lb | 2,527 kg |
| Loaded | 8,200 lb | 3,720 kg |
| Maximum takeoff | lb | kg |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engine | 2 × Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior SB-2 | |
| Power (each) | 450 hp | 340 kW |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 184 mph @ 5,000 ft | 296 km/h @ 1,520 m |
| Combat range | 1,050 miles | 1,690 km |
| Ferry range | km | miles |
| Service ceiling | 21,000 ft | 6,400 m |
| Rate of climb | 1,240 ft/min | 380 m/min |
| Wing loading | 21.9 lb/ft² | 106.9 kg/m² |
| Power/Mass | 0.11 hp/lb | 0.18 kW/kg |
| Armament | ||
| Guns | 2 machine guns | |
| Bombs | 2 × 250 lb (120 kg) depth charges | |
The Grumman G-21 Goose amphibious flying boat was designed as a 6–7 seat 'commuter' plane for businessmen in the Long Island area. It was soon adopted by the US Navy and Coast Guard, and during World War II it served with United States forces and the RCAF in a transport, reconnaissance, rescue and training roles, and was used by the RAF for air-sea rescue duties.
Returning to civilian service after the war, the Goose found use from the wilderness of Alaska to the sunny climes of Catalina.
345 Geese were built, with about 60 still airworthy today. Various modifications have been made over the years, and some are now flying with turboprop powerplants.
Fictional appearances
In Jimmy Buffett's first novel, Where is Joe Merchant?, protagonist Frank Bama owned and operated a rebuilt Grumman Goose dubbed the Hemisphere Dancer. (The actual Hemisphere Dancer is a Grumman Albatross that belongs to Buffett and is now the centerpiece for his "Margaritaville Cafe" restaurant in Orlando, FL).
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