Columbia XJL
| XJL-1 | |
|---|---|
| |
| The third Columbia XJL-1 preserved at the Pima Air Museum near Tucson, Arizona, in February 1993 | |
| Role | Single-engine amphibian |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Columbia Aircraft Corporation |
| Designer | Grumman Aircraft |
| Introduction | 1946 |
| Status | 1 flying in civil use; 1 preserved |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Number built | 3 |
TheColumbia XJLis a large single-enginedamphibious aircraftdesigned byGrumman Aircraftbut built by theColumbia Aircraft Corp.It was intended to replace theGrumman J2F Duckbut the type did not reach production status.
Design and development
[edit]
TheGrumman J2F Duckbiplane amphibian had successfully served theUnited States Navy(USN) in quantity from late 1934 onwards. The final 330 examples were built in 1941/42 under sub-contract by theColumbia Aircraft Corp,retaining the J2F-6 designation.[1]
At the end ofWorld War II,Grummancompleted a major re-design of the aircraft for the USN as aWright R-1820-56 powered monoplane amphibian. The new design was turned over to the Columbia Aircraft Corporation for development and construction so that Grumman could focus on the production of fighter aircraft for the USN.
The aircraft strongly resembles the J2F Duck, except for its monoplane layout, and has been referred to as a "single-winged Duck". It is, however, a completely new design.[citation needed]
The USN ordered three XJL-1 experimental aircraft from Columbia, with the first being used for destructive strength testing on the ground. The remaining two airframes, assigned USN BuAer Nos 31399 and 31400, were delivered to the USNs test establishment atPatuxent River Naval Air StationMarylandfor evaluation in 1946.
Operational history
[edit]The two aircraft tested at Patuxent River were found to have repeated structural failures of various components and testing was abandoned on 21 September 1948. The aircraft were deleted from the USN inventory in February 1949.[2]No further orders were placed for production of the JL design. The aircraft were sold as surplus in 1959. 31399 was registered N54207 and is undergoing restoration atYanks Air Museum,Chino, California.[3]31400 was registered N54205, and, restored, is now on display at thePima Air & Space MuseuminTucson, Arizona.[4][5]
Specifications
[edit]
Data fromPlane Facts: Monoplane "Duck"[6]
General characteristics
- Crew:2
- Capacity:6 passengers
- Length:45 ft 11 in (14.00 m)
- Wingspan:50 ft 0 in (15.24 m)
- Height:16 ft 0 in (4.88 m)
- Wing area:413 sq ft (38.4 m2)
- Empty weight:7,250 lb (3,289 kg)
- Gross weight:13,000 lb (5,897 kg)
- Powerplant:1 ×Wright R-1820-56, 1,350 hp (1,010 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed:200 mph (320 km/h, 170 kn) at 119 mph (103 kn; 192 km/h)
- Range:2,070 mi (3,330 km, 1,800 nmi)
- Rate of climb:1,110 ft/min (5.6 m/s)
See also
[edit]Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
[edit]Citations
[edit]- ^Swanborough 1990, p. 221
- ^Pima Air Museum
- ^"Yanks Air Museum".Rod Bearden's Aviation Photos.Retrieved24 August2019.
- ^Francillon, René (1989).Grumman Aircraft since 1929.UK: Putnam. p. 273.ISBN0-85177-835-6.
- ^"Columbia XJL-1".Pima Air & Space Museum.Retrieved24 August2019.
- ^Air EnthusiastNovember 1972, p. 262.
Bibliography
[edit]- "Plane Facts: Monoplane" Duck "".Air Enthusiast.Vol. 3, no. 5. November 1972. pp. 261–262.
- Swanborough, Gordon (1990).United States Navy Aircraft since 1911.Naval Institute Press.ISBN0-87021-792-5.
External links
[edit]