The OA-12 "Duck" is the
U.S. Air Force version of the Navy J2F-6 amphibian. It was derived from
the XJF-1, a Grumman amphibian that flew for the first time in May
1933. Later, Grumman built a variety of JF- and J2F- series aircraft
that were used primarily by the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard,
before and during World War II. After the war, air-sea rescue duties
assigned to the USAF's Air Rescue Service required special aircraft for
over-water missions. So in 1948, the USAF acquired eight surplus Navy
J2F-6s for air-sea rescue work. Five were designated OA-12s and sent to
Alaska for duty with the 10th Air Rescue Squadron (the other three
disappeared from the records and apparently went to an allied country
under the Mutual Defence Assistance Program).
SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 39 ft.
Length: 34 ft.
Height: 14 ft.
Weight: 7,200 lbs.
Armament: None (provisions for underwing racks for bombs or
depth charges)
Engine: Wright R-1820-54 of 1,050 hp.
Crew: Two
Cost: $69,000
Serial Number: BuNo 33587
Other Registrations: N67790
Displayed As: OA-12A 48-563
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 188 mph.
Cruising speed: 150 mph.
Range: 780 miles
Service Ceiling: 20,000 ft. |