Instead, Grumman decided to revise their G-20 design and, the result, called G-15 by the company, was given the designation of J2F by the US Navy. The J2F differed from the previous JF in many ways. It was powered by a 750 hp Wright R-1820-20 air-cooled radial engine with a short chord engine cowling. The float was extended forward by one foot (0.3048 meters), making the design longer than the regular JF Duck.
The J2F also was able of carrying more additional equipment to make the aircraft more multi-role, like target-towing, smoke-laying and photographic survey and reconnaissance, apart from medical evacuation as one stretcher could be fitted in the passenger compartment, in place of the usual two seats. It could also serve in the typical light-transport role. The airframe remained basically the same as the JF, with the exception of the longer float, and wings remained unchanged.
The first J2F-1 flew on 3rd April 1936 and was delivered to NAS Anacostia, in Washington DC. It was equipped with fittings for a single 0.30 in machine gun, bomb racks on the lower wing, and a tailhook to operate from carriers. By 1937 a total of twenty-nine J2F1 were completed.
The first J2F-1 was hold at Anacostia for testing purposes, one of which involved the installation of full span flaps on the trailing edges of the upper wing, to try and lower the landing speeds to 65 mph (104.607 km/h). This aircraft was unofficially known as the J2F-1A.
In 1938 Grumman was tasked with the manufacture of thirty J2F-2. This variant was powered by a 790 hp Wright R-1820-30 radial engine and was armed with a single forward-firing 0.30 in machine gun, plus a flexible one placed at the rear cockpit. This variant was mainly built of the Unites States Marine Corps.
During the next two years, nine J2F-2s were stationed at Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, American Virgin Islands, as part of the neutrality patrols over the Caribbean Sea. Those J2F-2A Ducks belonged to VMS-3 and were modified with twin rear machine guns and two additional bomb racks under the lower wings.
Twenty unarmed J2F-3s were ordered in January 1939 destined for the US Naval Attaches and the Commander of the US Naval Academy, prepared for VIP use. Those "admiral barges" (as they were commonly known) were plush and painted in dark blue and silver. The J2F-3 was powered by a 790 hp Wright R-1820-36 engine, driving a three-bladed constant-speed propeller.
During late 1939 and early 1940, as war was getting closer to the United State's borders, new military outposts were established. Therefore more Ducks were needed to support the extended patrol areas. The J2F was ideal for operating from those improvised outposts, which were usually shallow inlet facilities, or single ramp docking facilities. In September 1939 production of thirty-two J2F-4s began at Grumman. This version was the same as all previous variants, with minor modifications in cockpit instruments and engine operation.
Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_J2F_Duck
2. Squadron Signal - Aircraft in Action Mini 7 - Grumman JF Duck
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