The story
Grumman designed the Widgeon for the civil market as a smaller version of its Goose amphibian, and the prototype flew in 1940. The war drafted it first: the Navy and Coast Guard flew it as the J4F, the Army as the OA-14, and the Royal Navy as the Gosling. In August 1942 a Coast Guard Widgeon attacked a U-boat off Louisiana, and its pilot won the Distinguished Flying Cross, though the boat, now thought to be U-171, escaped undamaged. Grumman's improved G-44A seated six, France licence-built 41 as the SCAN 30, and McKinnon turned more than 70 into Super Widgeons.
"De plane! De plane!" The seaplane that opened every episode of Fantasy Island was a SCAN 30, the French-built Widgeon, registered N4453.
Quick answers
How do you identify a Widgeon?
A boat hull with wheels that fold up into its sides, a high wing with an engine on each side, and a float under each wingtip. Original Widgeons have inline Ranger engines in long pointed cowls; McKinnon Super Widgeons have flat-six Lycomings and three-blade props, and some have wingtip floats that retract. The Goose has the same look but is bigger.
What does a Widgeon sound like?
Two small inline Rangers, or flat-six Lycomings on a Super Widgeon, droning over the water.
How fast is the Widgeon?
Top speed is 133 kts (153 mph) (G-44).
How many passengers does the Widgeon carry?
Up to 4. A typical layout is Five seats in a boat-hull cabin (G-44); six in the G-44A.
How far can the Widgeon fly?
Range is about 799 nmi (G-44).
How big is the Widgeon?
It is 31 ft 1 in long and 40 ft 0 in across the wings.
When did the Widgeon first fly?
Its first flight was in 1940.
How many Widgeons have been built?
317 (276 by Grumman, 41 SCAN 30) built.
How rare is a Widgeon in Bogey?
COMMON. Everyday traffic. You will catch plenty of these, and every first catch still counts. Your first Widgeon catch is worth 25 points.
