This 1945 Grumman American G-44A Widgeon Is a Versatile, Amphibious ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

Grumman’s Widgeon amphibian is an extremely versatile recreational vehicle. [Courtesy: Connor Graham]

Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1945 Grumman American G-44 Widgeon

The Widgeon was part of a line of amphibious aircraft that Grumman built from the 1930s through the 1950s. It is the baby of the family, smaller than the Goose, Mallard and Albatross, and while it served as a military transport during World War II, the Widgeon was designed with civilian use in mind. As a result, it is easy for motivated pilots to look at one today and start dreaming about loading up the family and embarking on air- and waterborne adventures.

I will admit to falling in love with this aircraft at first sight. I immediately imagined using it to explore remote lakes and harbors in Maine. There is a lovely inlet near our favorite vacation spot on Deer Isle where I have long fantasized about landing a seaplane in the narrow corridor between the many moored sailboats. That would stir things up. More on the serious, practical side, this Widgeon is just the right size for family trips. I have been seeking justification for nabbing seaplane and multi-engine ratings anyway and this airplane makes a strong case. I did promise my wife I would finish instrument training first, though, so my island-hopping plans will have to wait.

This 1945 Grumman Widgeon has 5,192 hours on the airframe, 429 hours on each of its Lycoming GO-435-C2B engines, and 130 hours on the propellers. As with many Widgeons, the newer Lycoming engines replaced its original Ranger inline engines. Other engine upgrades included GO-480s or Continental IO-470s and IO-520s.

The panel has been updated with a Garmin 530W GPS, GMA 347 audio panel, Sandel SN3500, KX155 nav/com, Century III autopilot, GTX330 transponder, KR87 ADF, and WX500 Stormscope.

Pilots looking for a cool, uncommon vintage aircraft that offers access to out-of-the-way ports and beaches in addition to runways should look into this 1945 Grumman American G-44 Widgeon, which is available for $325,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

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Jonathan WelshAuthor

Jonathan Welsh is a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4