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Grumman Model G15 "Duck" amphibian biplane.

     The first Grumman Ducks began service in 1933. The slightly modernized G15 is a general utility plane for the US Navy (as the J2F), Marines and Coast Guard, used for transport, photography, rescue, ambulance, target-towing, patrol, and other tasks. These aircraft can be launched by catapult, from shipboard, and have an arresting hook for landings on aircraft carriers.

     The pilot and one passenger (the observer, in military planes) sit in a tandem cockpit, under the glass canopy; two other seats are fitted into the lower part of the fuselage. There are sliding covers in the canopy; doors are fitted on either side of the fuselage for access to the lower compartment. A sliding hatch connects the cockpit with the lower compartment. The lower compartment has a "dome light"; the compartment is about 7' long and 53" wide. The life raft, tool kit, and first aid kit are stored here.

     The fuselage is entirely metal-covered; the wings, ailerons, rudder and elevator surfaces are fabric-covered. The landing gear are retractable; on either side of the tail-wheel are two halves of the water rudder. The wingspan is 39', the aircraft is 34' long.

     The J2F comes standard with a comprehensive aircraft radio system for the period, including a radio-direction finder, operated by the observer. The pilot can only operate the 'basic' short-range, limited-channels radio. The observer also has a rudimentary set of flight controls, for emergencies - rudder pedals, stick, and throttle only. Powerful landing lights are fitted on each lower wing, plus all the usual navigation lights for the period. Various safety and repair items are carried aboard the aircraft.

     The engine is a Wright R-1820-G2 Cyclone 9-cylinder supercharged radial of 820 HP; it weighs 1068 lbs. The main fuel tank contains 150 gallons; the auxiliary tank, 65 gallons.

     Naval J2F aircraft are fitted with a bomb pylon under each lower wing (for up to a 100 lb bomb or anti-sub depth charge on each pylon), a flexible .30 cal Browning machine gun for the observer (with 3 belts -- 750 rounds -- of ammo), and (for some aircraft) a fixed forward-firing .30 cal Browning fired by the pilot.

Savage Worlds stats for machinegun:  range 24/48/96, shots 3, AP 3, damage 2d8, mounted weapon, reload takes 1 action (and fixed weapon fired by pilot cannot be reloaded during flight).

     Maximum takeoff weight is 5800 lbs; the useful load -- pilot, observer, passengers, cargo and armament -- is 1200 lbs.

     Performance:  top speed 190 mph, best cruise speed 155 mph, landing speed 70 mph, ceiling 25,750', range 875 miles on main tank, plus 380 miles from auxiliary tank = 1255 miles total (8 hours flight time at cruise speed). Climb rate 1,500' per minute.

     Cost, new to the Navy, about $30,000; less without bomb racks, catapult fittings, machine guns, and other military fittings. The engine alone costs $8,000. 

See the movie "Murphy's War" for lots of Duck action! Some excerpts at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcZlVbrMRQY

Note that it's damaged, and missing the engine cowling; plus the pilot is supposed to be entirely unfamiliar with aircraft. Other Grumman Duck videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RzteFO-r9c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTQg_wHKaOU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMyMJYDED34

Here's a picture of the pilot's controls:

http://uscockpits.com/Special%20Mission/J2F-1%20Duck.JPG

Some nice photos of J2F aircraft:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1247123/L/

http://www.wwiivehicles.com/usa/aircraft/amphibian/grumman-j2f-duck.asp

http://bluejacket.com/usn/images/ac/g-o/j2f_grumman_duck_hoist.JPG

http://www.ipmsusa2.org/Walkarounds/05-01-06-Duck/Intro.htm

Print this image 7.7" wide (it'll be 8.5" high) for a 1:56 scale plan: