Grumman G-63 Kitten I
Grumman · United States · first flew 1944 · light aircraft
The Grumman G-63 Kitten I was an American all-metal two- or three-seat cabin monoplane, designed and built by Grumman as part of its postwar plans. It had a retractable tailwheel landing gear and a Lycoming O-290 piston engine.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.06 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- All-metal low-wing cabin monoplane
- Retractable tailwheel landing gear on the Kitten I
- Single Lycoming O-290 engine in the nose
It is a small low-wing cabin monoplane with an all-metal structure and retractable undercarriage. The Kitten I used a tailwheel, whereas the Kitten II used a nosewheel.
Specifications
- The Grumman G-63 Kitten I has a length of 6.06 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.75 m (32 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 238 km/h (148 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Grumman began looking at the light aircraft market in 1943. The Kitten I first flew on 18 March 1944 but did not enter production because of the continuing war effort.
Variants
The G-72 Kitten II had a retractable nosewheel landing gear and dual controls and flew on 4 February 1946. The G-81 was a G-63 modified with a ducted wing, which replaced the original wing to improve the lift/drag ratio.
Where you'll see it
The development project was terminated in 1946. The Kitten II was used as a company transport until the mid-1960s and is the sole survivor.
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