Grumman J2F Images

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.

(Bureau # 0169) On the midships elevator of USS Yorktown (CV-5), 2 November 1937. This aircraft is plane # 4 of the ship's utility unit. Photograph from Department of the Navy collections in the U.S. National Archives.

Grumman J2F-2A Duck Amphibian, of Fleet Air Photographic Squadron Atlantic Employed in a simulated rescue of a downed aviator, circa 1943-1943. Note the yellow life raft's oars and inflation bottle. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the

In flight as seen from another aircraft.

At Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, 18 December 1943.

At Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, 18 December 1943.

Taxiing, probably at San Diego, California, circa 1941. Plane is from USS SARATOGA (CV-3) utility unit, and carries the over-all gray paint scheme carried during much of 1941.

The first plane to land on the newly completed ramp at NAS Kaneohe, on 8 July 1941. Note markings on the side of the plane: "Naval Air Station."