Grumman AF-2 Guardian

I was in VS-21 1952 to1954

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I was aircrew in AF-2S, radar and sonobouy operator. My Sqdn was VS-931 /VS-20. Joined the Sqdn in 1952, left 1955. Airman when I arrived, AT2 when I left. Flew off the Sicily, Rendova and Badoeng Strait, all CVEs. Our -2S aircraft were modded with the the ASQ-8 MAD gear. Constant problems with the retractable boom. Recieved the much better S2F in late 54.

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From Jan, 1955 until Dec, 1955 I flew as Radar Operator (APS-20)on the Grumman AF Guardian clearing the Regulus & Sparrow Missile Sea Test Range west of Point Mugu Missile Test Center, CA. The 2 AFs must have been among the last to fly in the regular Navy. No one would volunteer to fly as radar operator until I checked into the Electronics shop at Point Mugu. When asked if I wanted flight skins I quickly answered "Of course" then I heard Pettigrew, the AT ordered to fly celebrating the news back in the shop & I knew I had answered that question wrong. The greatest system on that A /C was the radar, very powerful. Vectored the pilot to a good signal from 15 miles & he couldn't see it 'til he got down to several feet then announced that it was a dead /floating shark.

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I have a series of photos taken aboard an unidentified carrier showing a VS-21 AF-2, Aircraft #10, serial number 126793, catching a line with a landing gear and nosing over and burning. I have the date and carrier narrowed down to the Bairoko (CVE115) or the Phillipine Sea sometime in '51-'53 time frame. Any information about this insident would be appreciated.

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Vice Admiral Stockdale then LT Stockdale was a pilot. A great hero and medal of honor winner.

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I was in VS-30 1962-65 @ Key West and I am looking for info on the squadrons cruises as VS-801 and VS-30 in the 1950's with AF-2S /2W and then S2F....Thank You.

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STATIONED AT QUONSET POINT, RI SERVED WITH VS-39. WAS A MECHANIC AND A CREWMAN. FLEW OFF MANY CARRIERS, SIBONEY, GILBERT ISLANDS, ETC. SERVED WIITH A BUNCH OF GREAT PEOPLE.

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Who was the designer and project engineer of the AF-2 Guardian?

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We here at the Arizona Wing of the CAF are getting ready to restore an AF2-S for static display. We're short of funds for the project but have high hopes of it being a great exhibit and tribute to those who flew this rare airplane.

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Flew it form NARTU Lakehurst NJ in the late 1950's to about 1959.On active duty as a TAR. Was attached to AWS 75 as a photographer, got my flight time in the upper radar seat, one time the Hatch over my head blew open,and i had to use my web belt to hold it down. ?Good Old Days?

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I flew in the AF2S while serving with the VS-27 Squadron and will always cherish my aircrewman days aboard the USS Wright. I later trans to the US Air Force and retired with 37 and half
years of service, but will always be proud of my Navy career. I flew in alot of aircraft in my military days, but nothing as cool as the Af2S, 2W aircraft built by Grumman.
WILL TACKABERRY, CMSGT USAF RET.

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I joined VS-36 in Norfolk on my birthday in 1955 and went straight into Aircrew Division where I stayed until March of 1957. I remember thinking how huge the plane was. We flew the AF until it was replaced by the S2F. I crewed both the AF2S and the AF2W. I loved the APS20 because of its range. I really didn't care for calling out the altitude while doing rocket runs in the 2S,
My pilot always kidded me about how my voice would change pitch when we passed 500 ft on the way down. The engine fumes in the crew compartment were terrible on either plane. I never went to sea with the AF because we were equipped with Stoofs by the time it was our turn on rotation; something for which I am glad because the AF was a ground loving sob on takeoff. I can still feel the harness against my legs as we approached the coal trains at the end of the runway. I am sure that all 3 of us were trying to lift the plain into the air.
I remember one of the aircrew member we called Preacher who had swapped out with one of the crewmen who was killed in the midair. He would never swap crew assignments after that.
All in all it was a good airplane, built like a tank and did the job it was designed to do.

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AF-25 Guardian Bu129233 is displayed at Pima Air Museum in Tucson and painted as a "fire bomber" N9995Z in US Forest Service (E 21)

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Airborne Controller served in VS27 at NAS Norfolk 1953-1956 SM designation on aircraft, with "Smile" as the voice radio communication ident. Brian Compton, a pilot, transferred to fighter training and later was John McCains Commanding Officer in Vietnam. I have seen pictures of SM10 restored and I flew in that plane on the search radar APS20 and vectored the attack plane on targets.

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Engine mechanic (AD2) at Sand Point Naval Air Station, Seattle. Got these to replace our TBMs. Never had any real problems with them other then the synthetic hydrulic fluid that kept corroading the check valves. VERY underpowered. Better then the S2F -1 & -2 we later got, wanted the AFs back.

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Tried to e-mail jim kincheloe Ret. CDR. USN but could not
get a good e-mail address. If perhaps he reads this wish he
would be in touch with me. I was in the Ordnance Div. VS-31
from 1952 until 1957. I also remember his brother was in the same Squadron. Still have contact with some of the old
shipmates he might like to hear about.

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VS-24 NAS Norfolk,Quonset Pt. 50-54 crashed CVS-28 pilot Blackwell APs-31,

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PLEASE TELL ME THE CORRECT NUMBER OF CREWMEN OTHER THAN THE PILOT IN THE AF2S AND THE AF2W. WHAT WERE THEIR FUNCTIONS? WAS THERE A SEARCHLIGHT OPERATOR? WAS HE IN THE BILGE? WHO OPERATED ECM? WAS THEIR A SIDE DOOR ON THE 2W? ETC.
PLEASE ANSWER ME DIRECTLY BY E-MAIL. TITLE THE E-MAIL AF-GUARDIAN.
THANKS hcw@cfw.com

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I was a combat aircrewman in VS-31 from July 1952 until November 1955. I flew as the bombardier /MAD operator in the AF-2S. I often state that I was one of the few who didn't get their feet wet (See Harvey Bues post). The airplane was seriously underpowered. The S2F was a breath of fresh air.
Jim CDR USN(Ret)

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I was stationed at NAS South Weymouth in Reserve Squadron VS-914 during 1956-57. I was an AT-3 and flew as a radar operator on the AF-2w's and later on S2-F's. When I went on active duty I was with VX-3 at NAS Oceana.

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