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Japanese Grumman JRF-5
In 1955, the U.S. Navy handed over to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) 4 operational Grumman JRF-5 flying boats, which were to improve the Japanese ASW capabilities. These aircraft served with the JMSDF from 1955 to 1961.
History
On July 1, 1954, the JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force) was formed, which, like other parts of the JSDF (Japan Self-Defense Force), had almost no equipment. Everything was in short supply, and the threat from the USSR and China was enormous. Therefore, based on the U.S.-Japan Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement, the Japanese received four Grumman JRF-5 flying boats from the U.S. These planes arrived in two echelons, first two in October 1955, and then in November. At this point, the JRF-5s were a very stalwart ASW aircraft that didn’t even have radar and relied on a simple attempt to spot an enemy submarine on the surface. However, for the JMSDF, it was still a huge support during this period. These aircraft were sent to the Kanoya Air Base in Kagoshima Prefecture (this is also where the PBY-6A was stationed), where they were part of the 2nd Kanoya Air Squadron. There, JRF-5 aircraft were used for patrol and rescue tasks. During their service, these planes received quite a negative opinion from the aging of the structure and the difficulty of operating a small aircraft at sea. In March 1957 (more precisely on March 3, 1957), JRF-5 aircraft were redirected to Omura Air Base, where they were transferred to the 91st Squadron of the Omura Air Corps. There, they were repurposed as rescue/training aircraft and served again together with the PBY-6A aircraft. Due to the aging of the aircraft, in 1961 all JRF-5s were withdrawn, one of which (JRF-5 O-9012) was returned to the USA, where it is said to exist to this day. JRF-5 O-9013 also went to the USA, where it served as a civilian aircraft. In 2021, this aircraft flew again after more than 7 years of renovation.
Construction description
The Grumman JRF-5 is an amphibious high-wing flying boat with a metal structure. The aircraft has landing gear that retracts in flight. The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-6 Wasp Junior air-cooled radial engines with 450 hp (340 kW) each, which rotate two-bladed propellers with a diameter of 2,590 mm. The crew of the plane consists of two people, up to six passengers can board the plane. The armament consists of two 45 kg (100 lb) bombs or two 113 kg (250 lb) bombs or two 147 kg (325 lb) depth charges.
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 11,73 m
- Wingspan: 14,94 m
- Height: 4,93 m
- Wing area: 34,84 m2
- Empty weight: 2909 kg
- Take-off Weight: 3636 kg
- Powerplant: 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-6 Wasp Junior 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 450 hp (340 kW) each
- Propellers: two-bladed variable-pitch metal propeller with a diameter of 2,590 mm
Performance
- Maximum speed: 323 km/h
- Cruise Speed: 307 km/h
- Range: 1030 km
- Maximum Range: 3842 km
- Service ceiling: 6492 m
- Time to Climb to: 25.7 minutes to 3048 m
- Climb Rate: 5,6 m/s
Armament
- 2 x 45 kg (100 lb) bomb (under the wings)
- 2 x 113 kg (250 lb) bomb (under the wings)
- 2 x 147 kg (325 lb) depth charges (under the wings)
Summary
The Grumman JRF-5 is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft would be an interesting low-tier bomber. The cruising speed of over 300 km/h will allow it to escape from enemy fighters, and the bomb load was even useful. Undeniably, this aircraft will be useful in naval battles now (because it is a flying boat) and in the future (because it is an ASW aircraft). The Grumman JRF-5 is part of the JMSDF story and would be a good idea for a premium add-on for Japan. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
G-21 (航空機) - Wikipedia
海上自衛隊の装備品一覧 - Wikipedia
Grumman G-21 Goose - Wikipedia
新明和甲南工場のグラマンG21グース JA5063
JMSDF Aircraft Profiles | J-HangarSpace: Information on Japanese Aviation
Grumman JRF Goose
JRF-5 Goose | Grumman JRF-5 Goose JMSDF (Japanese Maritime S… | Flickr
Grumman JRF-5 Goose : Grumman
グラマンJRF-5グース
Book sources
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