The Grumman J2F Duck was a largely unsung biplane amphibian which performed in a wide variety of utility roles throughout the war to considerable success. Designed by Leroy Grumman as one of the first designs of his recently established company, the Duck (originally a nickname, later its official name) was immediately recognizable thanks to the main pontoon being part of the fuselage, thus making it a flying boat rather than than a float-equipped landplane. With a service entry in the early 1930s, it was considerably improved through time and up to World War II where it performed in such roles as anti-submarine and coastal patrols, reconaissance, air-sea rescue, casualty evacuation, and target towning in both Europe and the Pacific. Used also by the USCG and Argentina, its memorable exploits included participation in the capture of a secret German radar on Greenland and the damage of two U-boats.

First flight of the prototype XJF-1 (based on the Model G-7) took place as early as 24 April 1933 with the first production JF-1 entering service exactly one year later. Variants included the JF-2 and JF-3 with Wright Cyclone engines until production switched to the Model G-15, later designated J2F, which was charaterized by the removal of the inner aileron struts. Variants included the J2F-2 and -3, while a number of J2F-2A aircraft for the USMC were modified to carry machine guns and bomb racks. Final variants were the J2F-5 which entered service shortly before the war and the J2F-6, ordered after Pearl Harbor and which was the most widely produced model. These were built by Columbia Aircraft despite no change in the Grumman designation prefix.