CC&F GOBLIN Mk.I

Description

During the 1930’s Grumman Company was the sole supplier of the fighter aircraft to the US Navy. The first Grumman fighter aircraft to enter service was the series of FF-1 twin-seater fighters. The first prototype designated XFF-1 (company designation was G-23) took off for the first time on December 29 of 1931. In 1937, Canadian CC&F Company purchased production license for FF-1 and eventually produced 40 machines designated GE-23 for fictive Turkish order. GE-23 differed from standard FF-1’s by cowling and nose shapes. Their armament was similar to FF-1’s. The machines were in fact ordered by Spanish Republicans Air Force. They latter deployed these machines, called "Delfino" in Spain, against Franco’s troops during the battles of Teruel and Ebra. Due to Frankist air superiority the "Delfino" suffered heavy losses. Only 8 remained when the fights were over and these were used by Franco’s Air Force until end of the 1940’s. The production of GE-23 in CC&F factory continued until the start of Hurricane license production. 15 machines were sold to RCAF for dumping price, RCAF re-designated these machines to Goblin Mk.I and assigned them to n° 118 Squadron of Royal Canadian Air Force. Goblin Mk.I served with RCAF until 1942. For short period of time, they were also assigned to n° 123 Squadron of RCAF. Single machines were sold to Mexiso, Nicaragua and Japan. (Scale : 1/72e)