Preview

MSFS Grumman J2F Duck

The Grumman J2F Duck for Microsoft Flight Simulator offers an authentic biplane amphibian experience, blending historical accuracy with modern cockpit capabilities. Originally designed in the mid-1930s, this single-engine military amphibious craft provided crucial support during World War II. Now...

5 star rating 5/5 (1) 399 downloads Flight Simulator 2020 CompatibleFlight Simulator 2024 Compatible
  • Type:Complete with Base Model
  • File: j2f-duck-2020-2024.zip
  • Size:750.87 MB
  • Scan: Clean (15d) Verified clean
  • Access:Freeware
  • Content:Everyone
Description 1 comments
Adam McEnroe

Expert Overview

The updated Grumman J2F Duck mod for Microsoft Flight Simulator masterfully merges its 1930s amphibious heritage with a fully modernized cockpit framework. Its refined flight model, streamlined engine configuration, and enhanced textures provide an immersive biplane experience that captures the spirit of both mid-century military aviation and contemporary sim technology.

Featuring three key variants and a total of 15 liveries (including the famous movie adaptation), this freeware release offers diverse operational roles and visual styles. In my experience testing it, highlights include vigilant attention to detail in aerodynamics, cockpit instrumentation, and weather effects, making this a solid choice for those seeking a robust amphibian adventure in MSFS.

This mod was installed, tested and reviewed by Adam McEnroe for Fly Away Simulation. Adam is an FS mod expert. Read his bio here.

The Grumman J2F Duck for Microsoft Flight Simulator offers an authentic biplane amphibian experience, blending historical accuracy with modern cockpit capabilities. Originally designed in the mid-1930s, this single-engine military amphibious craft provided crucial support during World War II. Now, thanks to flyndive and the original work by Paul Domingue, you can operate this fully native MSFS rendition on both Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024.

Evolution of a Classic Biplane

The Grumman J2F "Duck" flying over water after taking off from water displayed in the latest Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 edition.The real-world J2F Duck served across multiple branches of the U.S. armed forces. It featured a radial engine, large floats (built into the fuselage), and a robust airframe for challenging water landings. In its MSFS form, the entire model has been redistributed as freeware, with explicit permission from Paul Domingue to bring his FSX creation into the modern simulator environment. Extensive updates include advanced modeling, texture conversions, refined animations, and improvements to the engine configuration and flight dynamics.

Noteworthy Technical Enhancements

  • Flight Model Refinements: Adjusted aerodynamic profiles and engine performance, ensuring authentic handling in diverse conditions.
  • Systems and Lighting: Updated cockpit instrumentation, lighting cues, and operational elements such as radios and munitions.
  • Sound and Special Effects: Enhanced audio layers and weather effects to reinforce immersion.
  • Native Texture Support: Optimized textures for MSFS, preserving optimal quality and performance.

Diverse Variants and Unique Liveries

This package provides three distinct Duck variants: J2F4, J2F5, and J2F6, each reflecting notable design changes from the real aircraft’s evolution. You will find 15 total paint schemes, including the special rendition seen in the movie “Murphy’s War.” That particular variant omits the engine cowling, canopies, and radome, replicating the on-screen appearance with high fidelity.

Future Paint Kit Availability

A dedicated paint kit is in development for those seeking to craft custom liveries, and it will be distributed separately once completed.

Planned Enhancements

Following extensive user feedback, additional tweaks are proposed for future versions, including refined engine cowling geometry on the J2F4, camera position adjustments, and more convenient default parking brake settings. Updates will also optimize airspeed and fuel readouts on the HUD, ensuring a smoother experience.

Recent Update Highlights (v1.2)

  • Collision Mesh for MSFS 2024: A full-body mesh prevents avatar walk-through in the new platform build.
  • Model Consolidation: Now displayed as a single aircraft entry with selectable variants and liveries in MSFS 2024.
  • VR Panel Collisions: Improved panel collision meshes heighten realism in virtual reality.
  • Tool-Tip Integration: Fuel selector switch now includes interactive prompts.
  • Minor Mesh Pruning: Eliminated duplicated brackets in the wheel well to address visual flickering.
  • Pilot and co-pilot representations in MSFS 2024 remain limited by a current simulator bug.

Additional Corrections (v1.1)

  • Windshield rain direction fixed on all related glass surfaces.
  • Updated throttle, mixture, and prop functionality to mirror realistic cockpit operations.
  • Removed extraneous engine cowling elements from the J2F6 variant.
  • Tweaked textures and addressed overlapping hatches in the J2F4 model.

Installation and Folder Structure

Inside the ZIP file, you will find the aircraft folder, a brief readme, plus the Grumman J2F Operation Manual. To begin, drop the folder named “flyndive-pd-aircraft-msfs-grumman-duck” (or similarly titled) into your simulator’s Community folder. When upgrading in the future, remove the previous installment before placing the new one to avoid conflicts.

Important Acknowledgments

Development has been shaped by the contributions of many community members. Testers such as Rudder58, Clockstopp3r, GromitZish, Baracus, Eazynotsoeazy48, Sal1800, TerribleGuitarist, and Red_Baron17 played critical roles in detecting issues early on. Moreover, JanKees crafted all exterior liveries, supported interior work, and ensured each variant remains visually captivating.

Usage Rights

This mod is distributed as freeware. You are free to modify it privately; however, you may not redistribute or commercialize any part of this package without explicit consent. The original aircraft design remains credited to Paul Domingue, with conversion and additional development courtesy of flyndive and released on Fly Away Simulation under direct agreement.

Images & Screenshots

60 total
A vintage biplane floatplane with a radial engine rests on calm water near a shoreline under a partly cloudy sky.A white biplane with visible weathering and the registration N5SS sits on a concrete ramp near a runway edge.A white biplane with registration N5SS is parked on a cracked concrete apron near a runway, with trees and water in the background.A white vintage biplane with floats and registration N55S is parked on a sunlit runway near tropical vegetation.A vintage biplane with registration N55S is parked on a sunlit runway near trees and a sandy area.A vintage biplane with a radial engine flies above a coastal airport featuring a single runway, taxiways, and several parked aircraft.A vintage military biplane with yellow accents and "RESCUE" markings flies low over a coastal town with water and scattered clouds.A biplane’s wing and struts are visible from the cockpit, with a runway, grassy area, and several hangars in the background.A vintage military floatplane flies over a tropical coastal area with lush greenery, waterways, and scattered buildings under a partly cloudy sky.A vintage military floatplane with a radial engine and US markings flies above a coastal area with lush greenery and calm water.A vintage military floatplane with a red engine cowling and yellow wing flies above a coastal town with scattered buildings and greenery.A white and blue floatplane with the registration N55S sits on a paved runway under a clear blue sky.A yellow and silver amphibious biplane marked "RESCUE" flies low over a coastal village with scattered huts and palm trees.A vintage biplane with orange wings and a radial engine flies above a coastal landscape featuring runways and scattered islands.A tandem cockpit view from a biplane shows analog flight instruments, metal framework, and a coastal landscape with water and islands below.A white floatplane biplane with registration N555 sits on calm water near a shoreline with scattered trees and low clouds.A white floatplane with the registration N5SS floats on calm blue water near a tropical island with palm trees and rocks.A blue military floatplane with RAF roundels flies above a coastal landscape with scattered islands and calm blue water.A white floatplane biplane with a radial engine flies above a coastal runway, with water and residential areas visible below.A cockpit view from a vintage biplane shows worn wing surfaces, cockpit gauges, and a runway bordered by trees and grass.A vintage aircraft cockpit features analog flight instruments, a central control stick, rudder pedals, and green-painted interior panels with various levers.A blue floatplane with the registration N1273N flies over a coastal industrial area with calm water and scattered buildings at sunrise.A vintage U.S. Navy floatplane flies above coastal islands and calm water at sunset, with sunlight reflecting off the sea below.A vintage aircraft cockpit features round analog gauges, red levers, and green metal framing with a view of a runway outside.A vintage biplane with a yellow upper wing and red engine cowling flies above a coastal area with docks and scattered buildings.A floatplane with pontoons climbs away from a coastal runway, passing over green islands and calm blue ocean under a bright sky.A vintage military floatplane with a biplane wing configuration sits on calm blue water near a shoreline with trees and power lines.A pilot sits in the cockpit of a vintage biplane flying over blue water and green islands, with analog gauges visible.A vintage U.S. Navy floatplane with a biplane wing design flies over a coastal landscape with scattered islands and blue water.A blue and white floatplane with a radial engine flies over a coastal harbor area with docks, buildings, and two anchored ships.A silver and blue floatplane with the registration N555 rests on calm water near a tropical shoreline under partly cloudy skies.A vintage military floatplane with a radial engine and biplane wings rests on calm blue water near a tree-lined shore.A vintage twin-float biplane flies above a calm blue body of water with a shoreline and scattered greenery below.A vintage aircraft cockpit features green metal panels, analog gauges, red and black levers, rudder pedals, and various labeled switches.A vintage biplane with yellow wings and floats flies over a coastal area with blue water and green islands below.A vintage military biplane floatplane rests on calm water at dusk with its bright landing light reflecting on the surface.A vintage military floatplane with a radial engine and US insignia sits on calm blue water near a distant shoreline.A vintage biplane with floats is parked on a sunlit airport apron, with hangars and several small aircraft in the background.A vintage biplane with floats is parked on a sunlit runway near trees and clear blue sky.A vintage aircraft cockpit features green interior panels, multiple levers and throttle controls, round analog gauges, and a partial view of the wing outside.A vintage biplane with a worn white and blue paint scheme flies over a coastal area with water and buildings visible below.A vintage biplane with floats and exposed radial engine is parked on a paved runway under a clear blue sky.A white biplane with a visible registration number flies over a sunlit expanse of rippling blue water.A vintage biplane with red wings and a navy star insignia flies over a coastal city at sunset with scattered islands below.A pilot wearing a headset sits in the cockpit of a vintage biplane, flying above a coastline with water and trees below.A blue vintage biplane with a radial engine and float undercarriage flies above a coastal landscape with islands and water.A vintage aircraft cockpit is illuminated by red lighting, with green-lit gauges and instrument reflections visible on the canopy glass.A vintage aircraft cockpit displays illuminated analog gauges and switches, with red and green instrument lighting highlighting the main control panel.A close-up view shows the weathered tail and upper wing structure of a white biplane with registration N55S.A vintage aircraft cockpit is illuminated by red instrument lighting, showing analog gauges, a control stick, and various labeled levers.A vintage aircraft cockpit is illuminated by red instrument lighting at night, with gauges and controls visible beside a dark waterway.A vintage military biplane with red wings and tail flies over a calm ocean dotted with small islands under a clear sky.A biplane floatplane with a radial engine flies above calm blue ocean water under a clear sky with scattered clouds.A biplane floatplane with red wings and tail flies above calm blue water under a mostly clear sky.A military biplane floatplane with illuminated navigation lights rests on dark water near a shoreline with scattered lights at dusk.A red and green biplane floatplane with a radial engine flies above the ocean under a mostly clear sky.A biplane with illuminated cockpit gauges sits on dark water at dusk, with distant shoreline lights and power pylons visible.A vintage military floatplane with a star insignia floats on calm water at dusk, with distant shoreline lights and towers visible.A biplane floatplane with its landing light illuminated sits on calm water at dusk near a dark, tree-lined shoreline.A military seaplane with a star insignia floats on calm water at dusk, with dark clouds and trees in the background.
All screenshots above have been created by Fly Away Simulation and are exclusive. For more details, see our image copyright information.

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Installation Instructions

Most of the freeware add-on aircraft and scenery packages in our file library come with easy installation instructions which you can read above in the file description. For further installation help, please see our Flight School for our full range of tutorials or view the README file contained within the download. If in doubt, you may also ask a question or view existing answers in our dedicated Q&A forum.

1 comments

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The content of the comments below are entirely the opinions of the individual posting the comment and do not always reflect the views of Fly Away Simulation. We moderate all comments manually before they are approved.

Manuel PeralesMon, 31 Mar 2025 00:50:24 GMT

Another wonder not to be missed.

An impressive work that manages to create the real sensation of flying this mythical hydroplane that can not help but remind us of those unforgettable sequences of the famous movie “Murphy's War”.

Very detailed instruments, and surprisingly good effects in the splashdowns!

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