Grumman FF

Grumman FF

Grumman FF-1 (U.S. Navy)

Entered service in 1933 as the U.S. Navy’s first carrier-based aircraft with retractable landing gear.

Operated by Fighter Squadron VF-5B aboard USS Lexington and Scout Squadron VS-3B as the SF-1 variant.

Though innovative, its frontline service was brief—replaced by the Grumman F2F and F3F by 1936–37.

Retired from U.S. Navy service by 1940, but its design influenced future Grumman fighters.

Canadian Car & Foundry Goblin (Canada)

In 1938, Canada acquired eight FF-1s from U.S. Navy surplus and reassembled them as the Goblin Mk I.

Served with No. 118 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, primarily in a training and coastal defence role.

The Goblins were withdrawn from service by 1941 due to obsolescence and limited performance.

Legacy

The FF’s retractable gear and robust design laid the foundation for Grumman’s famed carrier fighters.

Though limited in combat use, both the FF and Goblin played transitional roles in naval and Canadian aviation.

XFF-1 (Grumman Model G-5)

Prototype

Serial number A8878.

First Flight

December 29, 1931.

Role

Proof-of-concept for a two-seat carrier fighter with retractable landing gear.

Engine

Initially powered by a 616 hp Wright R-1820-E Cyclone; later upgraded to a 750 hp R-1820-F.

Performance

Achieved speeds up to 201 mph—faster than any U.S. Navy fighter at the time.

FF-1

Production

27 built.

Role

Two-seat carrier-borne fighter for the U.S. Navy.

Service Entry

June 1933 with VF-5B aboard USS Lexington.

Armament

Two .30-calibre Browning machine guns; light bomb capability.

Legacy

First U.S. Navy fighter with retractable gear; retired by 1936–37 as newer monoplanes emerged.

FF-2

Conversion

25 FF-1s modified by the Naval Aircraft Factory.

Role

Dual-control fighter trainers.

Use

Extended the utility of the FF-1 airframes for pilot instruction as frontline roles diminished.

XSF-1 (Grumman Model G-6)

Prototype

Serial number A8940.

Role

Scout aircraft prototype derived from FF-1.

Differences

Revised internal equipment and engine configuration tailored for reconnaissance.

SF-1

Production

33 built.

Role

Two-seat carrier-borne scout aircraft.

Engine

Wright R-1820-84 Cyclone.

Deployment

Served with VS-3B aboard USS Lexington; used for fleet observation and light attack.

XSF-2 (Grumman Model G-13)

Prototype

One built.

Configuration

The SF-1 airframe is fitted with a 650 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1535-72 Twin Wasp Junior engine and Hamilton Standard propeller.

Purpose

Engine testbed and performance evaluation platform.

GG-1

Demonstrator

Built from FF-1 and SF-1 components.

Initial Engine

450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp.

Modified Engine

Upgraded to 890 hp Wright R-1820-F52.

Features

Full-span split flaps are on the top wing, and ailerons are on the bottom wing.

Fate

Sold to Howard F. Klein and used to promote the design to Canadian Car & Foundry.

Goblin Mk I (Canadian G-23)

Production

15 built under licence by Canadian Car & Foundry.

Intended Use

Originally meant for Spanish Republicans but embargoed.

Service

Taken on strength by the Royal Canadian Air Force; used for training and coastal patrols until 1941.

AXG1 Export

One G-23 was supplied to the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1935.

Purpose

Evaluation aircraft; no further adoption.

GE.23 Delfín

Export

34 G-23s delivered to the Spanish Republican Air Force in 1938.

Role

Fighter and scout aircraft during the Spanish Civil War.

Legacy

Known as Delfín (Dolphin); saw combat against nationalist forces.

Specifications

Crew

two

Length

24 ft 6 in (7.47 m)

Wingspan

34 ft 6 in (10.52 m)

Height

11 ft 1 in (3.38 m)

Wing area

310 sq ft (28.8 m²)

Empty weight

3,098 lbs (1,405 kg)

Max takeoff weight

4,677 lbs (2,121 kg)

Powerplant

1 × Wright R-1820-78

Cyclone radial engine,

700 hp (520 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed

207 mph (333 km/h,

180 kn) at 4,000 ft (1,200 m)

Range

685 mi (1,100 km, 595 nmi)

Service ceiling

22,100 ft (6,735 m)

Rate of climb

1,667 ft/min (8.47 m/s)

Armament

2× 0.30 in (7.62 mm) M1919 Browning machine guns

or

1x 0.30 in and 1x 0.5 in (12.7mm) Browning M2 fixed in fuselage;

1x 0.30 in flex in rear cockpit

2× 100 lbs. (45 kg) M30

or

116 lbs (53 kg) Mk4 bombs under wings.