The Grumman G-44 Widgeon was an American twin-engine amphibian. Originally designed as a civilian aircraft, it was intended as a follow-on to Grumman's successful and larger cousin, the Grumman Goose. The first prototype flew in 1940 and, not surprisingly, the type soon found itself serving with the United States Navy, US Coast Guard, and the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy in the maritime patrols and utility roles. In British service, the aircraft was given the name "Gosling"[1] and that is how Johns referred to it in his books.
Biggles and the Gosling[]
In Biggles Delivers the Goods Biggles used the Gosling to reconnoitre Elephant Island and then as a general utility and communications aircraft between it and Madras in India. Algy was shot down in one but Henry Harcourt fetched another from India for Biggles' use.
In derivative works[]
In Les pirates du Pôle Sud, a graphic novel adaptation of Biggles' Second Case, the author/artist Francis Bergèse had Biggles use a pair of Grumman Widgeons (and called them as such) in place of the Tarpon of the original Johns book. The range would not have been good enough, but Biggles could have had long range tanks fitted.

No point frustrating readers with the fictional Tarpon. Francis Bergèse chose to have Biggles fly the Widgeon (reverting to the original US name). Note the bombs. FP458 shown here and FP467 on the other machine, were registration numbers of actual historical Goslings in British service.[2]
Specifications[]
- Crew: 5
- Length: 31 ft 1 in (9.47 m)
- Wingspan: 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m)
- Empty weight: 3,240 lb (1,470 kg)
- Gross weight: 4,525 lb (2,053 kg)
- Engines: 2 × Ranger L-440-5 air-cooled inverted six-cylinder inline engines, 200 hp
- Maximum speed: 153 mph (246 km/h; 133 kn)
- Cruise speed: 138 mph (222 km/h; 120 kn)
- Range: 920 mi (799 nmi; 1,481 km)
- Service ceiling: 14,600 ft (4,500 m)
- Armament
- 1 325 lb depth charge or bomb
References[]
- ↑ E. R. Johnson, “American Flying Boats and Amphibious Aircraft: An Illustrated History,” (McFarland, 2016), 146.Source URL
- ↑ RAF aircraft serials