Western Alaska Airlines’ Grumman Goose, named Golden Swan, sits on the runway in Dillingham in the 1950s. This amphibious aircraft served Alaska well back in the day. The first Goose took flight in 1937 and the last rolled off the assembly line in 1945 following excellent service during WWII.
The Grumman Aircraft Corp., a leader in the industry, developed the Grumman Duck, Widgeon, Goose, Mallard and Albatross that were totally suitable for landing and taking off in the rough waters around Alaska.
After WWII, these planes were declared surplus and sold to private owners. Between 1946-1948, most Widgeons and Goose aircraft could be bought for between $6-$8,000. Companies like Peninsula Airways Inc. grew their businesses on the floats of these flying workhorses.
Only 50 or so Gooses still fly around the world today, and a few are on exhibit in museums around the world – from Alaska to Colombia to Sweden.
#AlaskaHistory www.auntphilstrunk.com
Original source can be found here.
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