Columbia XJL
Страна: США
Год: 1946


Single-engined General Utility boat amphibian
The Columbia XJL-1 General Utility Amphibian (Pratt & Whitney R-1820-56 engine).
A photograph of the Columbia XJL-1, supplied by Neil C Aird of Kingston, Ontario, showing its appearance in September 1968, at the Ryan Airfield, Tucson, Arizona. This is the second of the two prototypes, while the first is now undergoing restoration in Baltimore, Maryland.
At Tucson International Airport, Arizona, late in January 1984, Steve Piercey photographed this rare bird. Registered N54205, it is the second of only two Columbia XJL-1 general utility amphibian monoplanes designed by Grumman to replace the US Navy's more familiar J2F Duck. The two XJL-1s, Bu Nos 31399 and 31400, first flew in 1946 and were stored until 1959, when they were declared surplus and sold. Both are being restored.
The Columbia XJL-1 was built to Grumman designs as a potential successor to the J2F-6 "Duck" as a general utility amphibian.