Grumman G-44 Widgeon (N71Q)

N71Q Is reg to a 1946? Grumman G-44A Widgeon

Great shot! Seems like those geared Lycomings would be hard pressed to match a pair of R-985's or PT-6's!!

Great Shot ! N71Q c/n 1441 is indeed a G-44A and was built in 1946. As to the Geared Lycoming engines, they are a perfect match for the airplane. I have flown in a number of Widgeons in different conversions and the McKinnon or Link/Lockheed 270hp conversions (which are for the most part the same) are the top of the heap. P&W R985s are far too large as are the PT-6s, both have been used on the larger Goose. Lee Mansdorf tried 300hp Lycoming R-680 radials on his Widgeon conversions and they made the airplane nose heavy and bulky looking (there are photos here of one of those, see N404Q). It also had some "interesting" handling characteristics at low speed according to some I've spoken too.