By Norm Goyer
The S2F Tracker was first flown in 1952, many are still in service around the world.
I would like to thank Wikipedia for the technical facts about the Grumman S2F series of aircraft, NG
For many reasons I have always found the Grumman S2F a fascinating aircraft. It is not the handsomest stud on the flight deck. It lacks the flowing lines of contemporary fighters such as the Grumman F9F. The S2F was first flown in 1952, and delivered to the Navy in 1954. Over the years various versions were produced, including the Tracer, Trader and the Tracker. Almost from day one, the S2F was nicknamed the Stoof (S-two-F). The E-1 Tracer version with the huge round radar dome on the top was called the Stoof with a Roof, who says our sailors don’t have a sense of humor. It was also called other not so nice names, but they were nicknames of acceptance; the airplane did its job.
The S2F was initially designed for anti-submarine warfare and sized to be capable of carrier operation. This Tracker is being launched via steam catapult.
The S2F was first designed as a high-wing twin radial engine submarine chaser and spotter. It was also used delivering mail and supplies to aircraft carriers. It had folding wings for compact storage. Grumman produced 1,185 Trackers. Another 99 aircraft carrying the CS2F designation were manufactured in Canada under license by de Havilland Canada. U.S.built versions of the Tracker were sold to various nations, including Australia, Japan Argentina and Taiwan. The Tracker was replaced for U.S. military use by the S-3 Viking; the last USN Tracker squadron was decommissioned in 1976. The last Navy S-2 was withdrawn from service on August 29, 1976. A number are still used as firefighting aircraft. Trackers continued to provide excellent service with the naval forces of other countries for years after the U.S. discontinued them. For example, the Royal Australian Navy continued to use Trackers as front line ASW (anti submarine warfare) aircraft until the mid 1980s.
Grumman E-2s were equipped with a radar dome and earned the nickname "Stoof with a roof".
I was watching TV the other night and learned that Argentina had used various Trackers operating from two Argentina carriers during the Falkland Island battle with Britain. Argentine Naval Aviation received seven S-2A in 1962, six S-2E in 1978 and three S-2G in 1990s. They were used from both aircraft carriers, the ARA Independencia and the ARA 25 de Mayo. They were also used as US-2A (carrier delivery) conversions, Maritime Patrol and ASW roles. They were extensively used in the 1982 Falklands War, first from the de Mayo, from where they detected the British Task Force and then from the mainland when the carrier returned to port after the sinking of the ARA General Belgrano cruiser. In 1990s the remaining operational six aircraft were converted to turboprop by Israel Aerospace Industries.
Many S2Fs were converted to turbine power. This S2T is being used as a fire bomber.
The Grumman S2F saw extensive civilian flying with forest fire departments in several countries including the US and Canada. In the late 1980s, and early 90s, Conair Aviation of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada took possession of retired U.S. and Canadian Trackers and converted them into Firecats, with a retardant tank replacing the torpedo bay. The Firecats were made in two variants, a piston engine Firecat and a turboprop-powered Turbo Firecat.
This propjet S2T belongs to Argentina and after it survived the Falkland Island war was converted to turbine power.
Specifications S2F
- Crew: four (two pilots, two detection systems operators)
- Length: 43 ft 6 in
- Wingspan: 72 ft 7 in
- Height: 17 ft 6 in
- Wing area: 485 ft²
- Empty weight: 18,315 lb
- Loaded weight: 23,435 lb
- Max takeoff weight: 26,147 lb
- Powerplant: 2× Wright R-1820-82WA radial engines, 1,525 hp
Performance
- Maximum speed: 280 mph at sea level
- Cruise speed: 150 mph
- Range: 1,350 mi or 9 hours endurance
- Service ceiling: 22,000 ft
Armament