Grumman Goblin (Canadian: 15 )
Grumman Goblin
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, PL1948)(Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page)Canadian Car & Foundry G-23 Goblin, RCAF (Serial No. 342), ca 1941.
One is preserved in the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida.
One is preserved in the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida.
The Grumman FF "Fifi" (company designation G-5) was an American biplane fighter flown 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 Delfin ("Dolphin") in Spanish service. Wikipedia
The Canadian Car & Foundry Company acquired a manufacturing licence for the Grumman G-23, and improved FF-1, of which it completed a total of 52, some of which were assembled from US-built components. Although initially rejected as a fighter by the RCAF as outdated and too slow, with the advent of war, the last 15 of the CC&F production batch were taken on strength as the Goblin I. The aircraft type served with the RCAF from 17 September 1940 until 21 April 1942. "A" Flight of No. 118 RCAF Squadron was equipped with Goblins at Rockcliffe in Ottawa, and subsequently became No. 118 (Fighter) Squadron, later stationed at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia where the Goblins for a time constituted the sole fighter force on the east coast. One CCF-built G-23 was sold to the Nicaraguan government where it 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 USA. In 1966, Grumman restored the aircraft before passing it to the US Navy where it is currently on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola, Florida. Harold Skaarup web page
Goblin Fighter
Wikipedia Goblin Fighter
Harold A Skaarup Web Page
Grumman Goblin - Kestrel Publications
CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (15), Canadian Aircraft Losses (1)Goblin 334
s/n
334m/d
G‑23c/n
137
RE
A
Canadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
ACanadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
Known Squadron Assignments: 118; 123
First assigned to the School of Army Cooperation in Rockcliffe, ON. To No. 118 (F) Sqn, in Rockcliffe, ON as of 21 Feb 1941 (coded RE*A) and then to Dartmouth, NS as of Jul 1941. To 123 (ACT) Sqn on 4 Nov 1941. Stored as of 16 Feb 1942. Broken up at No. 6 RD Trenton on 21 Apr 42.source: Kestrel Publications
2023-10-161940-October-15 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-June-02 Accident: 118 Fighter Squadron Loc: Rcaf Stnorth Rockcliffe Names: Russel
1942-April-21 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Goblin 335
s/n
335m/d
G‑23c/n
138
REY
Canadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
YCanadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
Known Squadron Assignments: 118; 123
First assigned to the School of Army Cooperation in Rockcliffe, ON. To No. 118 (F) Sqn, in Rockcliffe, ON as of 21 Feb 1941 (coded RE*Y) and then to Dartmouth, NS as of Jul 1941. To 123 (ACT) Sqn on 4 Nov 1941. Cat “C†accident while at Rockcliffe on 12 Jan 42; no details available. Allotted for carbon monoxide tests on 18 Feb 1942, possibly with the Test and Development Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe. Stored as of end-Feb 1942. Broken up at No. 6 RD Trenton on 21 Apr 42.source: Kestrel Publications
2023-10-161940-October-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-April-21 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Goblin 336
s/n
336m/d
G‑23c/n
139
Canadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
Fort William, ON
Known Squadron Assignments: 118; 123
First assigned to the School of Army Cooperation in Rockcliffe, ON. To No. 118 (F) Sqn, in Rockcliffe, ON as of 21 Feb 1941 and then to Dartmouth, NS as of Jul 1941. A week after the Sqn’s arrival at Dartmouth from Rockcliffe on 23 Jul 1941, #336 took off to practice low-flying “surprise" attacks with Sgt R.M. Bryant at the controls. At approximately 16:00 hrs, the a/c was seen diving towards Lawrencetown Lake at very low level. The a/c struck a electric power pole bordering a nearby road, ripped one wing off, and then crashed into the swampy shore of the lake about 350 yards away. The pilot was thrown clear of the wreckage but had been fatally injured upon impact. The airframe was totally destroyed. The poor forward visibility from the cockpit was noted as a contributing factor for the accident.source: Kestrel Publications
2023-10-161940-October-15 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-July-23 Accident: 118 Fighter Squadron Loc: Aerodrome Names: Bryant
1941-September-22 Struck off Strength - Cat "A" write-off 2023-10-16
1941-July-23 KIA RCAF Sergeant Robert Murray Bryant 2023-02-20Goblin 337
s/n
337m/d
G‑23c/n
140
REG
Canadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
GCanadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
Known Squadron Assignments: 118; 123
First assigned to the School of Army Cooperation in Rockcliffe, ON. To No. 118 (F) Sqn, in Rockcliffe, ON as of 21 Feb 1941 (coded RE*G) and then to Dartmouth, NS as of Jul 1941. With No. 123 (ACT) Squadron, RCAF Station Debert, NS, Jan and Feb 1942. To stored reserve as 16 Feb 1942. Transferred to No 6 RD for disposal.source: Kestrel Publications
2023-10-161940-October-25 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-April-21 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Goblin 338
s/n
338m/d
G‑23c/n
141
REM
Canadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
MCanadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
Known Squadron Assignments: 118; 123
Allocated to the Test and Development Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, ON, in Nov 1940 for cockpit heater tests. Assigned to the School of Army Cooperation in Rockcliffe, ON. To No. 118 (F) Sqn, in Rockcliffe, ON as of 21 Feb 1941 (coded RE*M) and then to Dartmouth, NS as of Jul 1941.To stored reserve as 16 Feb 1942.source: Kestrel Publications
2023-10-161940-September-24 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-April-21 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Goblin 339
s/n
339m/d
G‑23c/n
142
Canadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
Fort William, ON
Known Squadron Assignments: 118; 123
Allocated to the Test and Development Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, ON, in Apr 1941 for engine temperature tests. Then assigned to the School of Army Cooperation in Rockcliffe, ON. The a/c suffered a wheels up landing on 12 Jul 1941 at Rockcliffe, ON; assessed as Cat “C†damage. To No. 118 (F) Sqn, in Rockcliffe, as of 21 Feb 1941 and then to Dartmouth, NS as of Jul 1941. With No. 123 (ACT) Squadron, RCAF Station Debert, NS, in Jan and Feb 1942. Broken up at No 4 RD in Scoudouc, NBsource: Kestrel Publications
2023-10-161940-October-15 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-April-21 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Goblin 340
s/n
340m/d
G‑23c/n
143c/r
CF‑BLK
Canadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
Fort William, ON
Known Squadron Assignments: 118; 123
First flown as a company demonstrator, CF-BLK; this registration issued to Canada Car & Foundry Ltd. on 9 September 1938. Demonstrated to RCAF at Rockcliffe, ON in late 1938. First assigned to the School of Army Cooperation in Rockcliffe, ON. To No. 118 (F) Sqn, in Rockcliffe, ON as of 24 Feb 1941 and then to Dartmouth, NS as of Jul 1941. With No. 123 (ACT) Squadron, RCAF Station Derbert, NS, January and February 1942. Broken up at No 4 RD in Scoudouc, NB.source: Kestrel Publications
2023-10-161940-September-30 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-April-21 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Goblin 341
s/n
341m/d
G‑23c/n
144
REN
Canadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
NCanadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
Known Squadron Assignments: 118; 123
To No. 118 (F) Sqn, in Rockcliffe, ON as of 24 Feb 1941 and then to Dartmouth, NS as of Jul 1941. (coded RE*N). With No. 123 (ACT) Squadron, RCAF Station Debert, NS, January and February 1942. Broken up at No 4 RD in Scoudouc, NBsource: Kestrel Publications
2023-10-161940-September-21 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-April-21 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Goblin 342
s/n
342m/d
G‑23c/n
145
Canadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
Fort William, ON
Known Squadron Assignments: 118; 123
Accepted by the Test and Development Flight at Fort William, ON on 17 September 1940 and later ferried to RCAF Station Rockcliffe, ON, for a wide variety of flight tests and performance trials until Jan 1941. Assigned to the School of Army Cooperation in Rockcliffe, ON. To No. 118 (F) Sqn, in Rockcliffe, ON as of 26 Feb 1941 and then to Dartmouth, NS as of Jul 1941. With No. 123 (ACT) Squadron, RCAF Station Debert, NS, January and February 1942. To stored reserve as 16 Feb 1942. Transferred to No 6 RD for disposal.source: Kestrel Publications
2023-10-161940-September-17 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-April-21 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Goblin 343
s/n
343m/d
G‑23c/n
146
Canadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
Fort William, ON
Known Squadron Assignments: 118; 123
First assigned to the School of Army Cooperation in Rockcliffe, ON. To No. 118 (F) Sqn, in Rockcliffe, ON as of 24 Feb 1941 and then to Dartmouth, NS as of Jul 1941. Suffered a Cat “C†accident while at Dartmouth; turning around on the runway while taxying, the wheel assembly collapsed. Ferried to RCAF Station Scoudouc, NB, for storage, May 1942.source: Kestrel Publications
2023-10-161940-September-24 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-September-07 Accident: 118 Fighter Squadron Loc: Aerodrome Names: Caldwell
1942-April-21 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Goblin 344
s/n
344m/d
G‑23c/n
147
REW
Canadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
WCanadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
Known Squadron Assignments: 118; 123
First assigned to the School of Army Cooperation in Rockcliffe, ON. To No. 118 (F) Sqn, in Rockcliffe, ON as of 24 Feb 1941 (coded RE*W) and then to Dartmouth, NS as of Jul 1941. On 24 Sep 1941, suffered a Cat â€B†accident near Cow Bay; engine and forward cowling were damaged during an air firing exercise. Prior to the accident the armourers were having a great deal of difficulty removing the machine gun blast tubes due to moisture in the air rusting them to the the muzzle attachment of the guns. An enterprising armourer created an unauthorized local modification using some hose clamps. The mod passed test firing of 200 rounds in the butts on the ground but ultimately failed while in the air blocking the muzzle and causing damage to the immediate surroundings. This modification had not been formally authorized or reviewed and fortunately #344 was the only a/c affected. Ferried to RCAF Station Scoudouc, NB, for storage, May 1942.source: Kestrel Publications
2023-10-161940-September-25 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-September-24 Accident: 118 Fighter Squadron Loc: Cow Bay Range Names: Wakeling
1942-April-21 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Goblin 345
s/n
345m/d
G‑23c/n
149
Canadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
Fort William, ON
Known Squadron Assignments: 118; 123
First assigned to the School of Army Cooperation in Rockcliffe, ON. To No. 118 (F) Sqn, in Rockcliffe, ON as of 24 Feb 1941 and then to Dartmouth, NS as of Jul 1941. Cat “B†crash at Dartmouth on 5 August 1941. The a/c had been participating in a dive-bombing practice mission with other Goblins in cooperation with the Royal Navy. As the blue section lead, #345 came into land first. The u/c was selected down but upon touchdown the gear collapsed and the a/c bounced and quickly nosed over, before slowly settling onto its back. The pilot was uninjured. The Board of Inquiry concluded that the pilot had failed to confirm that the u/c was fully down and locked and recommended that a suitable lighting or horn system be installed to confirm that the u/c was either fully down and locked or fully retracted. To Clarke Ruse Aircraft Ltd. on 20 Aug 1941. The airframe was not repaired and #345 was reduced to spares and produce after the accident at No. 4 RD as of 8 Sep 1941.source: Kestrel Publications
2023-10-161940-September-30 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-August-05 Accident: 118 Fighter Squadron Loc: Aerodrome Names: Tuile
1941-September-08 Struck off Strength ; reduced to spares & produce; date also given as 1942-03-05 2023-10-16
Goblin 346
s/n
346m/d
G‑23c/n
150
Canadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
Fort William, ON
Known Squadron Assignments: 118; 123
First assigned to the School of Army Cooperation in Rockcliffe, ON. To No. 118 (F) Sqn, in Rockcliffe, ON as of 24 Feb 1941 and then to Dartmouth, NS as of Jul 1941. Category “B†accident on 29 July 1941 at Lawrencetown, NS. #346 had taken off with another Goblin in order to practice air combat. After take-off, #346 climbed to 4,000 ft and commenced mock attacks on the other a/c. The engine then quit while in level flight. Unable to re-start the engine, the pilot executed a forced landing in a marsh at the north end of the field. The a/c touched the ground and flipped over onto its back. The pilot was slightly injured. Carburetor icing was the suspected cause of the accident. The fuselage of the airframe was buckled and the wings were badly damaged. Consequently, #346 was written off as of Sep 1941.source: Kestrel Publications
2023-10-161940-October-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-July-29 Accident: 118 Fighter Squadron Loc: Lawrencetown Nova Scotia Names: Pennock
1941-September-30 Struck off Strength reduced to spares & produce; also given as 1942-03-05 2023-10-16
Goblin 347
s/n
347m/d
G‑23c/n
151
REV
Canadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
VCanadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
Known Squadron Assignments: 118; 123
First assigned to the School of Army Cooperation in Rockcliffe, ON. To No. 118 (F) Sqn, in Rockcliffe, ON as of 24 Feb 1941 (coded RE*V) and then to Dartmouth, NS as of Jul 1941. Suffered Cat “C†accident on 27 Nov 1941 while at Dartmouth; landed with undercarriage up after engine failure. Ferried to RCAF Station Scoudouc, NB, for storage, May 1942.source: Kestrel Publications
2023-10-161940-October-15 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-November-27 Accident: 112 Squadron Loc: Aerodrome Names: Hart
1942-April-21 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Goblin 348
s/n
348m/d
G‑23c/n
152
Canadian Car & Foundry
Fort William, ON
Fort William, ON
Known Squadron Assignments: 118; 123
First assigned to the School of Army Cooperation in Rockcliffe, ON. To No. 118 (F) Sqn, in Rockcliffe, ON as of 24 Feb 1941 and then to Dartmouth, NS as of Jul 1941. With No. 123 (ACT) Squadron, RCAF Station Debert, NS, January and February 1942. Broken up at No 4 RD in Scoudouc, NB.source: Kestrel Publications
2023-10-161940-October-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-April-21 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
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