Grumman JRF-5 Goose

AHM HISTORIC AIRCRAFT 1944 Grumman JRF-5 Goose Bu 84791

Grumman JRF-5 Goose Bu 84791’s first flight was at the factory in Bethpage, Long Island on September 29th, 1944. Two months later it was accepted by the USN thirty-one miles away at NAS New York, Floyd Bennett Field, on September 30th, 1944. By November, the Goose was assigned to CGAS Biloxi, and as a USN aircraft was used by the Coast Guard. There the aircraft served until the War’s end. Goose Bu 84791’s primary role was as a patrol seaplane designed to guard against U-boats in the Gulf. Its secondary role was as a rescue, storm warning and fishery guard (protecting this industry was very important to the war effort). Discharged by the USN, the aircraft was formally assigned to the US Coast Guard in 1946. The Goose served in Biloxi until 1948 before flying north to Alaska. Assigned to Coast Guard Station Annette (near Ketchikan), it flew many missions in the hazardous Alaska weather. On August 10th, 1950, the Goose struck a dock, damaging its right float and wing. Unable to repair the plane in this remote area, the USCG removed the engines and equipment and struck it from records. Shortly after, the aircraft was purchased by a civilian charter business and restored to flying condition.

After 60 years of Alaskan service as a Coast Guard rescue aircraft, airliner, charter aircraft and bush plane, Navy 84791 returned to the lower 48 in July of 2014. Since then, the Goose has spent time in restoration and received a new paint scheme that honors the Coast Guard. You can see the Goose on display during our Living History Event Weekends.