The Grumman G-73 "Mallard" is a large, twin engine amphibious aircraft. Many have been modified by replacing the original Pratt & Whitney Wasp H radial engines with modern turboprop engines. Manufactured from 1946 to 1951, production ended when Grumman's much larger HU-16 Albatross was introduced.
The Mallard prototype first flew on 30 April 1946, with the first production aircraft entering service in September of that year. While the Mallard was designed for regional airline operations with two pilots and ten passengers especially aimed at harbor-based, city-to-city hops on the eastern seaboard, postwar surplus aircraft sales and the availability of smaller airports limited market potential. A number of smaller air carriers did use the Mallard in its intended role, notably Tahiti-Hawaii Airlines and Pacific Western Airlines (Canada). However, most of the 59 Mallards delivered were for corporate use.
The Mallard received a lease in life in the 1970s when a number of airframes were refitted by Frakes Aviation with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turbines and upgraded for 17 passengers, to become "Turbo Mallards." Today, through attrition, only 32 Mallards remain registered in the US. Many of the rest are in use around the globe.
Grumman G-73T Turbo MallardCrew: 2, pilot and co-pilot
Length:: 48 ft 4 in (14.7 m) - Wingspan:: 66 ft 8 in (20.3 m)
Load:: 3500 lb (1588 kg) - Range:: 1120 nautical miles (2070 km)
First Flown: April 30, 1946 - Powerplant:: 2 x 550 hp (410 kW) Pratt & Whitney