Seeking to exploit the best features of the canoe hulled Loening OL series seaplanes with the aerodynamic clean lines of his ff-1 fighter, Leroy Grumman in 1932 proposed to the US Navy a new utility amphibian, and one XJF-1 prototype was order. The first flew in May 1933, and then 27 JF-1s were order with Pratt & Whitney 700-hp R-1830-62 radial. There followed 14 JF-2s for the US Coast Guard with the 750-hp R-1820-102. These were later transferred to the navy, which also took five similar JF-3s. Further production resulted in the J2F model that omitted the JFs aileron interconnection struts and provided an enclosed passenger cabin. This was produced insubstantial numbers and several versions, of which the J2F-5 was the first to receive the official name Duck. Most of the aircraft served though out the Second World War on task such as liaison coastal patrol, survey, and rescue.