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| The Tracker is a twin 1,136.4kW Wright R-1820-82WA-powered carrier-based antisubmarine search and attack aircraft, produced originally for the US Navy but currently also in service with the air forces and navies of several countries.
The prototype flew for the first time on 4 December 1952 and more than 1,000 S-2s were delivered by Grumman. The initial production version was designated S-2A (CP-121, formerly CS2F-1 for the Canadian version). Next came the S-2B with new anti-submarine detection equipment; the TS-2B trainer; S-2G with enlarged bomb bays to house two homing torpedoes (most converted to US-2C or RS-2C); S-2D with improved anti-submarine equipment, wider cockpit and longer range; S-2E with improved anti-submarine equipment; S-2F with uprated submarine detection equipment; S-2G, early version uprated with a Martin Marietta kit; US-2A/C, S-2A/C converted for target towing; US-2B utility/transport conversion of the S-2B; RS-2C, S-2C converted for photo-reconnaissance/ survey work; AS-2D, S-2D modified for night attack; and E-1B Tracer, AEW version with a radome on its back.
| MODEL | S-2E |
| CREW | 4 |
| ENGINE | 2 x Wright R-1820-82WA Cyclone, 1137kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 13222 kg | 29150 lb |
| Empty weight | 8505 kg | 18750 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 22.12 m | 73 ft 7 in |
| Length | 13.26 m | 44 ft 6 in |
| Height | 5.05 m | 17 ft 7 in |
| Wing area | 46.08 m2 | 496.00 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 426 km/h | 265 mph |
| Cruise speed | 241 km/h | 150 mph |
| Range w/max.fuel | 2092 km | 1300 miles |
| ARMAMENT | one nuclear dive bomb, sonobouy launchers, bombs, missiles, torpedos |
| Robyn W, e-mail, 29.06.2011 16:04 I was an avionics tech for the USN from the early 70's to the mid 80's. The S-2G was the first of several aircraft which I worked on. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to fly in one. VS-24 was my first operational squadron, and I made my first (and only) deployment with them in 74-75, the last USN operational cruise of the S-2G. I have3 fond memories of both the S-2 and the AN /ASN-30A system which for most of my time was spent doing intermediate repairs of this ANALOG TAC /NAV computer. reply | | Tom Jantz, e-mail, 19.06.2011 02:55 Hello! My brother, Lt. John C. Jantz, was a pilot of an S-2 Tracker. He was on the 1967 cruise on the USS Hornet off the coast of Vietnam. He did not talk too much about it but He said he assisted in finding downed pilots and keeping track of boat traffic to help control sampans with weapons on them being smuggled south. If anyone knows of him and /or some of the missions flown by the trackers off Vietnam please let me know. He had over 100 missions off the Hornet. He shot down at least 3 Mig-17s and a Mig 21. He died about 10 years ago unfortunitly. Thanks for your time everyone! Tom Jantz in Michigan. PS. Just kidding about the Mig shoot downs of course. reply | | John Meyers LT USN, e-mail, 02.06.2011 21:58 After advanced training on the S2 at NAS New Iberia, I went to VS-34 onboard Essex out of Quonset Point, RI. Flying in wintry New England taught me to respect the all-weather S2 capability, and carrier work in the North /South Atlantic made me love the Grumman iron workers who built the sturdy aircraft that accepted the heavy blows we new pilots delivered while we learned our craft. Surely the least glamorous of aircraft while performing the similarly unattractive and grueling tasks of ASW, the Stoof brought us home in heavy weather, day and night,at sea and on land. Any problems were invariably crew caused. All hail to Grumman! reply |
| Pete Dore, e-mail, 20.03.2011 02:57 I worked as an ordnanceman (Armourer in our terms) on VS816 Squadron through the 1970's on S2-E and S2G in the Australian Fleet Air Arm. We travelled with teh Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne to San Diego in 1977 to collect some used S2G aircraft. We had a damn good time and these aircraft left us with a lot of great memories and friends. reply | |
| | J.E. Worley, e-mail, 08.03.2011 05:12 ADR3 in VS 32 ,nas quonset. cruised on tarawa,lake champlain and wasp.Some good memories,some n ot so good.LearnedA lot about engines and props.Later in vs 38.noris was seat 3 operator. Did 2 aileron rolls on A test hop, not too bad for A natops limit of 60 degree bank angle,great pilot.cruised on bennington. reply | | Ben Young, e-mail, 08.03.2011 01:05 Forgot to tell you people, at NAS Kingsville, the S2F outfit was ATU-402. I've never ran into anyone else who was in that command. I remember a slacker getting caught, he climbed in the bottom aft hatch for a nap and woke up in New Orleans. Also remember the 3 point landing with the nose up because of an indication of the nose gear not locked. reply | | Ben Young, e-mail, 08.03.2011 00:49 After boot camp in mid 1957 was sent to NAS Kingsville, Tx and was assigned to work in the line crew as a "Plane Captain".(cleaner)lol.Fell in love with the bird.Now retired near NAS Jax,Fl, they have one on display on the base. Lot's of good memories. reply | | Doug (Tex) Burkham, e-mail, 06.03.2011 01:17 Typo....that's EMCON....fingers have dyslexia. reply | | Doug (Tex) Burkham, e-mail, 05.03.2011 19:29 I was in VS-24 from late 1970 to mid-1973. I sat in the 3-seat, and Ed Shostack sat in the 4-seat. LCDR Verney was the pilot, and LTJG Moriarity was the co-pilot. My "cherry" flight was on a short ORI (Intrepid CVS-11) up to Nova Scotia. Scariest flight was over the Baltic when we got a bad steer back to the ship after completing a mission and got lost. EMCOM conditions precluded us from firing up the radar or using the radios. 'Intrepid finally located us and gave us our steer back to the ship (EMCOM broken!). 'Got back with very little fuel remaining. Great times and great memories. Lots of great friends whom I'll never forget! reply | | Wayne Miller, e-mail, 26.02.2011 22:34 In 1960, I was in the radar seat ready to go and I was told I wasn't flying that hop. I got out, another sailor got in, the plane took off and never came back. No May Day, no debris, no oil slick, flat gone. That was VS776, NAS Los Alamitos, California. That was the last time I got into a Navy Aircraft. When the pilots wanted something to laugh at, they would have me go forward and fly the S2F. I was the only AT in the squadron, and a darn good radar operator. I had flight crew wings (HS771) on the HSS anti-submarine helicopter (Sonar operator) and I had crew wings (VS776)on the S2F (Radar /Sonabouy). I had many, many near misses. Too many to talk about. The only one that counted was the one that took off and never came back. Two pilots and a crewman are in the ocean somewhere around San Clemente Isand, California. That was 50 years ago, and it is just like it was yesterday. reply |
| Leroy McVay, e-mail, 12.01.2011 06:05 1957, Active reserve (full time job) at Sand Point Naval Air Station, Seattle. Second class machinist mate working on S2F-1, -2. Sent one out from the line for test flight after engine change. Crashed on take off. Problem with that damn 3 section rudder / vertical stabilizer! Lost a buddy that was along for flight time even though passengers were not suposted to go on test flights reply | | Leroy McVay, e-mail, 12.01.2011 06:05 1957, Active reserve (full time job) at Sand Point Naval Air Station, Seattle. Second class machinist mate working on S2F-1, -2. Sent one out from the line for test flight after engine change. Crashed on take off. Problem with that damn 3 section rudder / vertical stabilizer! Lost a buddy that was along for flight time even though passengers were not suposted to go on test flights reply | | Wayne Payne, e-mail, 23.12.2010 01:46 I served as an AT with VS36 - SF2 Anti-submarine squadron stationed at Norfolk, Va. 1955-1956. Would like to hear from anyone who was in the unit. reply | | Mike Hewlett, e-mail, 17.12.2010 07:13 A little further research in my log book shows that BUNO 153580 was an S-2E that was converted to an S-2G, still assigned to VS-24. I last flew her on 4 June '72, tho I was in VS-24 for 15 more months. reply | |
| | Mike Hewlett, e-mail, 17.12.2010 07:05 BUNO 153580 in the photo on this page was at one time assigned to VS-24. I first flew that particular bird on 14 Aug '71 from Intrepid while operating in the Norwegian Sea. On 29 Dec '71, I flew co-pilot with CDR Mel Byington in what I think was the first operational flight of an S-2G. The G had a new sonobouy dispenser for DIFAR bouys, and it also had upgraded AQA-7 acoustic processors as flying test beds for the S-3A equipment. reply | | Mike Hewlett, e-mail, 17.12.2010 06:38 Correction to the above-- that was VT-31 at NAS CC reply | | Mike Hewlett, e-mail, 17.12.2010 06:36 I took advanced training in the TS-2A with VT-32 at NAS Corpus Christi -- and fell in love with this bird. Went thru RAG with VS-30 at NAS Quonset Pt, then enjoyed 3 extended deployments aboard USS Intrepid CVS 11 flying with VS-24. I remember the STOOF as a great bird to bring aboard, and easy to adapt to changing conditions. I remember once being in a foul-deck bravo pattern at the 90 when told "Charlie now -- A /C at the 90, make it if you can." I was 28 knots fast, 125 feet high, gear up and flaps 1 /3 -- but I took the cut and trapped. Not many a /c would let you do that. reply | | Tanner Cole, e-mail, 13.12.2010 21:29 Wow, 100 gallons of 100LL for an hour! Must have drove you crazy when you found out the S-2 can run on 87 octane mogas! reply | | Skip Patnode ADRC Ret, e-mail, 03.12.2010 07:27 Spring of '61 thru Fall of '64, VS-25 aboard USS Yorktown. I have 50 Cat shots and arrested landings in these aircraft including some single engine bolters. Plenty of power to make the bird really safe. Until they put the CSD and related flex shaft on the "new models", this was a great bird to maintain. After that it became a pain.
Skip Patnode, Norfolk, Va. 757 672 8495 reply | | Roger Heiler (Boot), e-mail, 01.12.2010 05:22 I was in VS31 from 59 to 63 stationed at Quonset Pt. R.I. We were attached to the Wasp out of South Boston Navy Yard. Our sister squadron was VS28 and the Helo Squadron was HS11. I was a BB stacker AO3 and was also on the special weapons loading team. Had a lot of fun times and good memories. reply |
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PROFILE
All the World's Rotorcraft
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John Meyers LT USN
VS34 Jun 65-Jun-68. I finished in Corpus Christi.
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