| XJL-1 | |
|---|---|
 The third Columbia XJL-1 preserved at the Pima Air Museum near Tucson, Arizona, in February 1993 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Single-engine amphibian |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Columbia Aircraft Corporation |
| Designer | |
| Status | 1 flying in civil use; 1 preserved |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Number built | 3 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1946 |
TheColumbia XJL is a large single-enginedamphibious aircraft designed byGrumman Aircraft but built by theColumbia Aircraft Corp. It was intended to replace theGrumman J2F Duck but the type did not reach production status.
TheGrumman J2F Duck biplane 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,Grumman completed 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 StationMaryland for evaluation in 1946.
The two aircraft tested at Patuxent River were found to have repeated structural failures of various components. 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 Museum inTucson, Arizona.[4][5]
Data from Plane Facts: Monoplane "Duck"[6]
General characteristics
Performance
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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