About the GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164A
The Grumman Ag Cat, officially known as the Grumman G-164, is a historic agricultural aircraft that made significant contributions to the field of aerial application. The G-164A variant, developed by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, exemplifies the company's dedication to creating robust and reliable aircraft for specialized uses. The Ag Cat was born out of a need for a durable, efficient, and safe aircraft to serve the agricultural industry, particularly for crop dusting and spraying activities. Prior to the Ag Cat’s introduction, many agricultural aviation tasks were performed using modified military and civilian aircraft, which were not ideally suited for the challenging conditions of aerial application work. Grumman recognized this gap and began developing the G-164 in the mid-1950s. The first flight of the Ag Cat took place in 1957, and it became the first aircraft specifically designed by a major aircraft company for agricultural aviation. This design emphasis on specialized agricultural use set the Ag Cat apart from its predecessors. The G-164A variant, an evolution of the original design, incorporated various improvements in both performance and safety. The aircraft featured a sturdy airframe capable of withstanding the rigors of low-altitude flight and heavy payloads of agricultural chemicals. Powering the G-164A was the Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine, which provided reliable operation and the necessary power for demanding aerial maneuvers. One of the major benefits of the G-164A was its biplane configuration, offering superior lift and stability at low speeds – essential attributes for safe and efficient crop dusting operations. Additionally, the aircraft’s design ensured ease of maintenance and repair, a critical factor in the often harsh operational environments of agricultural aviation. Overall, the Grumman G-164A Ag Cat represented a significant advancement in agricultural aviation. Its purpose-built design, robust construction, and reliable performance enabled it to become a valuable asset to farmers and agricultural businesses worldwide, marking it as a cornerstone in the history of agricultural aircraft.