A late-production model of the useful JF/J2F series begun by Grumman in 1933. The original JF and the later J2F-1 thru -5 were built by Grumman. A last, post-Pearl Harbor, batch was ordered for manufacture by Columbia to allow Grumman to concentrate on fighter production. Contrary to the usual Navy designation practice, they were ordered under the Grumman designation of J2F-6 instead of under a Columbia designation. In this photo, dated 31 December 1943, this J2F-6 wears the 3-tone dark blue/intermediate blue/off-white camouflage adopted for ship-based airplanes early in 1943, with the star-and-bar national insignia with the blue border prescribed in September 1943. Note the dark blue on the forward float upper surface, also the two-tone dark blue/off-white combination on the wing floats.