Warplanes of the USA: Ohio, Dayton, National Museum of the USAF: Grumman FF-1 (Canadian Car & Foundry G23 Goblin Mk. 1)

Grumman FF-1 (Canadian Car & Foundry) G23 Goblin Mk. I

(USN Photo)

The U.S. Navy prototype Grumman XFF-1 "Fifi" fighter (BuNo A8878) in flight. It made its first flight on 29 December 1931.

FF-1s were delivered to Fighter Squadron VF-5B of the USS Lexington beginning in June 1933.[5] In service the FF-1 became familiarly known as the "Fifi".[6] Delivery of SF-1s started on 30 March 1934, and they also served aboard the Lexington, with Scout Squadron VS-3B.Grumman Goblins of 118 Sqn RCAF near Dartmouth N.S. in 1941Both the FF-1 and SF-1 were withdrawn from first-line US Navy squadrons in late 1935 and 1936. The 25 remaining FF-1s were sent to the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia where they were modified and redesignated FF-2s. The FF-2s were modified with dual controls used for instructional duties by various Naval Reserve activities across the United States. SF-1s were also used by the Naval Reserve. The last FF-2 was stricken from the Naval Record in 1942.

The Canadian Car and Foundry Co acquired a manufacturing licence for the G-23, an improved FF-1, of which it completed a total of 52, some of which were assembled from US-built components. Thirty-four were acquired by the Spanish Republican government in 1937 by presenting forged Turkish credentials. This batch was built primarily to bypass the US embargo placed on belligerents during the Spanish Civil War. Referred to as the GE-23 Delfin (en:'Dolphin') by the Spanish Republican Air Force, the aircraft fought in the conflict, but were outclassed by opposing fighters and losses were high. A victory against a Heinkel He 59B was the only recorded "kill" by a Grumman biplane fighter.[1] Eleven survived to serve in the Ejército del Aire Español, nicknamed Pedro Rico for its rotundity.

Although initially rejected as a fighter by the Royal Canadian Air Force as outdated and too slow, with the advent of war, the last 15 of the CC&F production batch were taken on strength as Goblin Is. The aircraft type served with the RCAF from 17 September 1940 until 21 April 1942. "A" Flight of No. 118 RCAF Sqn was equipped with Goblins at Rockcliffe in Ottawa, and subsequently became No. 118 (Fighter) Sqn., later stationed at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, where the Goblins for a time constituted the sole fighter force on the east coast.The sole G-23 purchased by the Nicaraguan government saw limited service before being relegated to a scrap yard at Zololtan Air Field in 1942, destined to remain there until 1961 when it was purchased and shipped to the US. In 1966, Grumman restored the aircraft before passing it to the US Navy where it remains as one of the displays at the Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola, Florida. (Wikipedia)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Grumman FF-1 (Canadian Car & Foundry) G23 Goblin Mk. I (Serial No. 9351), c/n 101, 5-F-1.  National Museum of Naval Aviation, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.

The Grumman FF "Fifi" (company designation G-5) was an American biplane fighter aircraft operated by the United States Navy during the 1930s. It was the first carrier aircraft with retractable landing gear. It was produced under licence in Canada and known as the Goblin in Canadian service and Delfín (English: "Dolphin") in Spanish service.

(SDASM Archives Photo)

Grumman FF-1 (Serial No. 9365), VF-5B, 5-F-1, 5 Aug 1936.

(SDASM Archives Photo)

Grumman XFF-1 A-8878 NAS Hampton Roads, 4 Feb 1932.

(USN Photo)

Three U.S. Naval Reserve Grumman SF-1s assigned to Naval Reserve Air Base Anacostia, Washington D.C. in 1937. Note the Naval Air Resereve insignia on the fuselage forward of the cockpit. The scout version of the Grumman FF-1 fighter, the SF-1 differed from its predecessor in reduced armament and an increased fuel capacity. Powered by a Wright R-1820-84, the SF-1 entered service in Spring 1934, and eventually served in six squadrons. Quickly outclassed by other designs, the SF-1s spent their remaining years in the hands of reserve pilots. (Wikipedia)

(Avery R. Kier/USMC Photo)

Grumman FF-2.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PL5954)

Canadian Car & Foundry G-23 Goblins, No. 118 Squadron, RCAF, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 1941.

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