Anybody have a Grumman Goose?

[fanaudical]

I really enjoy "lurking" occasionally on the off-topic forum and reading the discussions about flying and private aircraft. My favorite aircraft of all time (I don't know why) is the Grumman Goose. Just out of curiosity, does anybody on the board have one or have relevant experience? Pics? Stories?

[Flieger]

CMA Airshow 2012_ 272 by Max_911S_fahrer, on Flickr

[fanaudical]

You've got some beautiful shots in that album - thanks for posting!

I think the pic above is an HU-16 Albatross (and one of the best-restored that I've seen).

[Heel n Toe]

The closest I came to one was building the Monogram kit of the Albatross when I was a kid. One of my favorite builds... a great kit... retractable landing gear.

[island911]

yellow thangs that flew yesterday

[slodave]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

You've got some beautiful shots in that album - thanks for posting!

I think the pic above is an HU-16 Albatross (and one of the best-restored that I've seen).

It's a flying test bed for inflight wifi. The company that owns it, is Row 44.

[RWebb]

suppose I told you I had a pet goose named Grumman - would that qualify?

[Dottore]

the ganja plane...

[sc_rufctr]

Is this the same plane in the first "Expendables" movie?

Cool plane either way.

[widgeon13]

My FIL had a Widgeon for 48 years, same style just smaller model. He bought it from Leroy Grumman back in the mid 40's. When he picked it up he was escorted out of Long Island airspace by two Grumman Hellcats. I spent many happy hours flying (20+ years) with him in that plane. Even flew it on a few legs. I have a handwritten history of his ownership that he gave me before he died. It reads like a love affair with a mistress. He gave it to a friend in Canada and it was eventually supposed to be headed to an aviation museum. It was and is a beautiful airplane and still is in the air today. Not the easiest twin to fly and they have a very narrow main gear making them very sensitive in crosswinds. Originally the Widgeon came with Ranger engines and actually couldn't sustain altitude on single engine. My FIL did a McKinnon conversion on his and it moved like a scolded cat on and off the water. Never flown in a Goose but have seen many. Nowadays the hot conversion is to twin turbine, more efficient and extremely reliable.

My wife's stepfather also had a Widgeon and used to fly John Foster Dulles back and forth from hunting trips. Lots of good stories there.

My golden's name is Widgeon, if we get another it's name will be Goose.

[VINMAN]

Goose.


My favorite Albatross!



Unfortunately sits retired as a restaurant attraction now..

[fanaudical]

Thanks for all the feedback! The McKinnon "Geese" are really cool, but you just can't beat the sound of the radials. Great story on the Widgeon.

[widgeon13]

My FIL's Widgeon after it went north.

[exc911ence]

I did an annual inspection on this one while out in BC:



Did one on this Turbo Mallard as well:



Neat airplanes.

[fanaudical]

All the Grumman amphibian twins are very cool planes. Someday....

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Is this the same plane in the first "Expendables" movie?

Cool plane either way.

Grumman HU-16 Albatross

Grumman HU-16 Albatross - Expendables Wiki