Grumman OA-13A Goose

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a photo of a Grumman OA-13A Goose 42-97055 at:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/22468446615...kAAOSwfP5hiolB


As a rare Goose variant (at least in terms of designation) I'd be interested if anyone knows which unit operated the aircraft shown.


Regards,


Clint

[Leendert]

According Geoff Goodall's website this Goose was used for mapping surveys in Peru and Brazil, 1943-44.
If assigned to a unit, then 2nd or 91st Photo Charting/Mapping Squadron?

Regards,
Leendert

[Stig Jarlevik]

Originally Posted by Leendert

If assigned to a unit, then 2nd or 91st Photo Charting/Mapping Squadron?

Regards,
Leendert

Leendert

Aircraft was accepted at Bolling Field 24 Oct 1942.
Went to San Antonio Air Depot 8 Dec 1942 (probably for some overhaul)
Back again to Bolling Field 29 Jan 1943 and assigned to 16th PRS, 1st PCG (Photographic Charting Group).
16 PRS detached to Talara, Peru 28 Feb 1943, while the aircraft followed later (between 15 April - 31 July according to its card).
16 PRS then detached to Natal, Brazil 26 Sep 1943 and on to Recife 31 Dec 1943 and returned to Bolling Field 30 Aug 1944.
It is assumed the aircraft followed back with the unit.
It is known to have been on mapping missions beginning on 14 Nov 1944 and it was finally SOC (lost to inventory) 14 June 1946.
No further records so presumed scrapped around that time.

Source: Air Britain - The Grumman Amphibians

Cheers
Stig

[bearoutwest]

Appears to be a second photo from the collection here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/22468446729....c101113.m2108


...geoff

[musec04]

Hello,


Thanks everone for the responses and particularly to Stig,for covering pretty much the aircraft's whole career.


Geoff, yes there are three photos in total but I only posted the initial one as I didn't think that the other two add much in terms of what could be seen. Still other points of view are equally valid.




Regards,


Clint

[Leendert]

The for me mysterious "R" in (16) PRS got me on the wrong footing. Unit was 16th Photographic Squadron, from August 1943 on 16th Domestic Photographic Unit and again 16th Photographic Squadron from Sep 1944.

Not to be confused with 16th Reconnaissance Squadron that operated in the MTO, but no doubt they made photos too.

Regards,
Leendert

[Stig Jarlevik]

Yes indeed

The book states both 16th Photographic Sqn and 16 PRS.
Don't know what the official squadron short form was in WW 2.

The early intention with the aircraft in Peru and Brazil was to spy on German activities (too many reports of "secret" German airfields in the jungle), but it was mainly used in mapping operations. It did some work based in Cali, Colombia as well.

These activities made the aircraft fall under 6th AF command structure and "guidance" of the Caribbean Defense Command.

Cheers
Stig