Groman Goose

One of the real workhorses of the air shipping industry is the Groman G-21A "Goose." Large, powerful, and able to haul 10 tons of cargo, the Goose is the backbone of the modern air freight business and has rapidly replaced the Conwing L-16 as the foremost cargo plane in the world.

At first glance the similarity between the Conwing and the Groman is obvious, notably the tapered nose section that so prominently distinguishes both models. Like the L-16, the G-21A is equipped with a contoured belly and pontoons for making water landings, as well as a spacious cargo hold to facilitate the storage of large loads within the plane itself.

Here the similarities end. While the Conwing L-16 is an all-purpose aircraft designed to serve as a cargo plane or passenger plane, the Groman G-21A was built as a dedicated cargo hauler. Able to transport nearly double the amount of cargo the Conwing L-16 can, the Goose fulfils modern air shipping’s demand for specialized cargo hauling, something Conwing avoided with the L-16 in its appeal to a wider range of customers.

The Goose has a raised-wing design with both wings mounted near the top of the fuselage. This design is not new but it more easily facilitates dockside landings, and allows workers to reach the side of the plane without laying down auxiliary pontoon bridges after it has landed. Plus, the high raised wings generate more lift, making takeoffs shorter and faster than those of other craft. However, rough seas can strain the section where the wings meet the hull, and even the sturdiest braces cannot prevent the wings from gradually working loose from the plane.

Inside the cockpit of a Groman air cargo freighter.

Most of the G-21A’s interior is taken up by the cargo bay, which adjoins the cockpit. Cavernous is the word to describe the bay, which is vast enough to store approximately 6 tons of freight with room to walk between the stacked crates. While most pilots use all the room they can to store cargo, many are tempted to use the extra space to install permanent fixtures like bunks and lockers. A few pilot/mechanics have even converted the insides of their Geese into flying service stations, complete with tools, spare parts, and compact gas pumps.

The plane’s extraordinary lift ratio, coupled with the impressive cargo capacity, means that Groman Geese have significantly shorter downtime than most other air freighters. All the pilot has to do is land at port, let the dock workers transfer his cargo, then fire up the props and take off for his next destination. Due to the aerodynamic design of the fuselage, G-21As are very fuel-efficient, able to travel fifty percent farther than other aircraft on the same tankful of gas. Naturally, this makes them an economical choice for shipping firms faced with high fuel prices.

The two engines that drive the plane forward are attached on top of the wing and bolted firmly in place. Unlike the engines of other cargo craft, the Goose’s engines are not liquid-cooled. Mounted high atop the wing, the engines are exposed directly to the airstream, which quickly dissipates any building heat. A smaller liquid coolant system acts as a backup system, saving pilots the trouble of constantly buying fresh coolant for the engines. However, in their exposed location, the engines are highly prone to damage from airborne debris. If a Groman pilot notices a racking or banging noise while flying, it is a good indication that he needs to land and have his plane serviced.

The Groman Goose is widespread in its popularity, with scores of them located at nearly every civilized port across the globe. Due to their affordable cost and practicality, they have almost single-handedly taken over the shipping industry and have already replaced the revered Conwing L-16 as the world's best-recognized cargo plane. But aviation is still progressing, and the day will come when the Groman G-21A will be surpassed by yet another, more advanced plane.

GROMAN GOOSE
Craft: Groman Industries Goose Type: Cargo transport Scale: Aircraft Length: 65 feet Skill: Aircraft piloting: Groman Goose Crew: 1 Crew Skill: Varies widely Passengers: 5 Cargo Capacity: 12,000 lbs. Cost: $62,000 (new), $43,000 (used) Top Speed: 215 mph Weapons: None Hull: 4D+1