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- January 27, 2023
Grumman Mallard for Sale — The Elegant Amphibian of the Golden Age
The Grumman G-73 Mallard is one of the most graceful and desirable amphibious aircraft in the world — a ten-seat flying boat of exceptional quality that Grumman built between 1946 and 1951 as a premium executive and utility amphibian for the post-war market. With its elegant lines, retractable tricycle landing gear, twin Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp radial engines, and all-metal hull construction, the Mallard offered a level of amphibious transport capability and passenger comfort that remains genuinely impressive even by modern standards. Only 59 were built, making them inherently rare and highly sought after by collectors and operators who value the unique combination of water and land capability in a genuinely beautiful aircraft.
The Mallard Experience
Flying and riding in a Mallard is an experience unlike any other in contemporary aviation. The aircraft's large windows provide panoramic views from a cabin that seats ten passengers in genuine comfort — a spacious, well-appointed environment by any era's standards. The ability to depart from a marina, land on a remote lake, and taxi up a beach or ramp adds a dimension of operational flexibility that no land-only aircraft can approach. The Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp engines — one of the most reliable and well-supported radial engines in aviation history — provide the power needed for both water operations and efficient cruise at speeds up to 180 mph.
Turbine-Converted Mallards
Several Mallards have been converted from their original R-1340 radial engines to turbine power — most commonly Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprops — which dramatically improves reliability, fuel efficiency, and hot-and-high performance while reducing maintenance requirements compared to aging radial engines. Turbine-converted Mallards command significant premiums over piston examples, and their operating economics are considerably more favorable for intensive commercial use. Chalk's Ocean Airways famously operated turbine Mallards in scheduled service in the Bahamas for decades — demonstrating the type's commercial viability even in the turbine age.
Find Your Grumman Mallard on Airplane Trade
Browse Grumman G-73 Mallard aircraft for sale on Airplane Trade from verified sellers worldwide. Piston and turbine-converted examples, charter operators, and collector aircraft available with complete documentation. Connect with sellers who appreciate the Mallard's extraordinary combination of elegance, capability, and rarity.