Timeline Flight 6 -- Grumman G-44A Widgeon

With the approach of Civil Air Patrol's 80th anniversary Dec.1, Maj. Ronald C. Finger of the Minnesota Wing's Crow Wing Composite Squadron worked with Col. Frank Blazich of the Col. Louisa S. Morse Center for Civil Air Patrol History, CAP national historian, on a special project -- to create “Timeline Flight” paintings showcasing some of the wide variety of CAP aircraft flown over the years.

The 21 aircraft selected span the Coastal Patrol days of World War II, the postwar years and finally the aircraft Civil Air Patrol aircrews fly today. This is the sixth. Others will be posted every four days.

Grumman G-44A Widgeon NC28671

• Capacity: 5
• Length: 31 feet, 1 inch
• Maximum speed: 153 mph
• Cruise speed: 138 mph
• Range: 920 miles
• Service ceiling: 14,600 feet

The Grumman G-44 Widgeon is a small, five-person, twin-engine amphibious aircraft produced from 1941-1955. On July 11, 1942, Civil Air Patrol’s second claimed U-boat attack occurred off the New Jersey coast. Maj. Wynant G. Farr and Capt. John B. Haggin’s Widgeon was scrambled when a morning patrol, returning to base because of low fuel, radioed it had spotted a U-boat running on the surface. Once on the scene, Farr and Haggin searched for several hours before attacking what they believed to be a U-boat.

NC28671 flew anti-submarine patrols out of CAP Coastal Patrol Base No. 1 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Sikorsky S-39B
Stinson 105-10A Voyager
Beechcraft Staggerwing B-17L 
Waco YKS-6
Fairchild 24-C8F
Stinson SR-9C Reliant “Gull Wing”