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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 |
| Dave Biddlecome USNRET, e-mail, 30.11.2010 03:07 A fellow was complaining about the STOOF being a bad AC. BS, 15166 brought us back with 21, 12.7mm holes in it. 1966 VS33 CVS20. reply | | Jack Bennett, e-mail, 11.11.2010 23:24 Was an airframes /hydraulic (AMH2) in VT27 from 1 /59 till 6 /62 at both Kingsville and New Iberia. I really enjoyed working on the "stoofs". Had a check crew, and was made an Airframes master inspector on the A /C. There's not much I did'nt learn about that bird's airframe during my 4.5 yrs. of service. Training squadrons are tough on A /C... reply | | Don Emrick, e-mail, 04.11.2010 23:37 Was in VT-28 from feb. 67 to july 69, @ NAS Corpus Christi Tx Line crewman, and mechanic on the stoof. Had a good time. Yea 20 min from Padre Island, could the time in Nav-Air have been any better? Would love to hear from any one else who was there in those years. reply | | Jim Anderson, e-mail, 31.10.2010 23:03 I was a plane captain on S-2s stationed at NAS Patuxent (PAX) River 1969 - 1972 (ADJ-2). Weapons Systems Test (changed name to STRIKE) and the US NTPS (US Naval Test Pilots School). We took an S-2 to Key West to drop nuclear shapes. Our tests went ok but the P-3 had the explosive tailfin go off in the bomb bay. Doors wouldn't line up /close after that. I of course thought that if this was for real the S-2 couldn't get out of the blast zone fast enough. IMHO a one way trip. Also was the plane captain for US Customs (planes assigned to WST), 5 S-2s on project grasscatcher, name changed after about a week. High tech for the time FLIR /Video reply | |
| | Gene Stevens, e-mail, 29.10.2010 04:03 I flew in the S2-E as a crewman with VS-33 NAS, North Island, San Diego, CA (1962-64), and from CVS-20 USS
Bennington. Had 50 cat launches /landings from the carrier.
Our "big" weapon was a small nuclear depth charge carried
in the bomb bay (if we needed one). Great memories with
VS-33. The S2-F had the big "bulb" right up above the
pilot /co-pilot. The S2-E is pictured for this sight. reply | | Robert Massmann AW2, e-mail, 28.10.2010 05:31 Was attached to VS-31 72-75 trained in VS-30. Had 55 launches and landings in the S2-G and some 600 hours of logged flight time as an antisub warefare operator. S3 where just around the corner. Station in Quanset Point and Ceicel Field Fla. until getting out in 1975. Many fond memories. reply | | Warren Barker, e-mail, 06.10.2010 17:51 The C1A or COD aircraft was this plane without the anti sub gear. It could carry eight passengers or could be used for cargo. Each carrier had one assigned to her. It was the only plane maintained by ship's company. I served on the COD crew on USS Yorktown 68-69 and TAD to the USS Hornet in 69 for Apollo 11 recovery. reply | | Robert Tevault, e-mail, 24.09.2010 15:54 I searved on the Wasp CVS-18 from 57-61 as EM and saw many Stoofs. I was flight deck electrician.Loved to hear the engine and have fon memories of on e single bird. Tail number 136427. Later it was called The Iron Lady. If I am not mistaken VS-30 squadron. Got to land on the ship in her. The last tine I saw her was at a air show in Marion Indiana. I found her now at Arlington Washington at a airport but not licensed to fly.The still taxi around and do a wing fold but thats it. Would loveto get pictures of the bird to keep and show the grandkids. Ted reply | | LT Kevin Parr, USN, e-mail, 20.09.2010 04:36 I am looking for pictures of the trainer version of this aircraft. My father, ADR1 Bobby Joe Par was assigned to VT-27 (1969-1972) and VT-28 (1972-1975) at CC-NAS. He died this past August 2010 and I am interested in understanding the paint /markings scheme so I can modify an S-2E model so I can have a lasting reminder of his service at retirements. Any help is appreciated!
LT Kevin Parr, 1615-Information Warfare, USN
P.S. Dad was laid to rest in his dress blues with gold chevrons and full ribbons at the Missouri Veterans State Cemetery, Jacksonville, Missouri on 17 August 2010. KRP reply | | James Fort, e-mail, 29.06.2010 22:24 I was a plane captain on the S 2F in VT-31 NAS Corpus Christy, we had 50 aircraft. Trained a lot of pilots from 1964-1966, flew as crewman, worked in line crew and mech shop.really liked this Airplane. reply | | Fred W. Liese III, e-mail, 13.07.2010 23:30 I spent 3 1 /2 years at NAS North Island Ca. from June 66 to December 69. I flew as aircrew member towing targets for the fleet to shoot at. VC-3 What Fun. reply | | Marty Lineen, e-mail, 24.07.2010 01:24 Marty Lineen Hollywood Florida. I was in VT-27 in New Iberia La. and VT-31 in Corpus Christi Texas. Lots of fun. reply | | Leroy McVay, e-mail, 19.06.2010 17:36 Worked on S2F-1 & -2 at Sand Point Naval Air Station, Seattle in 1956 - 57. Only plane I ever worked on that I perferred not to fly in. Sent one out from line after engine change; crashed on take off. Engines were okay, suspect that 3 section vertical stabilizer / rudders arangement. reply | | Allen MacDiarmid, e-mail, 22.08.2010 15:27 VS-29 when we received the new S2F-3. The designations from -1,-2,-3 were changed to A,B,C after that. The writeup is wrong. I am not enamored of this aircraft that had so many design things wrong with it from the rudder boost, to dead man's loop, to spin characteristics, to the J-hook release for the main gear. I did get most of my 150 traps in this aircraft however, without busting any on the carrier. Two cruises aboard the USS Kearsarge (CVS-33). reply | |
| | Allen MacDiarmid, e-mail, 22.08.2010 15:30 John Tenaglia - You are right about the ECM antenna. It was on at least the S2F-1 and S2F-2. reply | | frits, e-mail, 17.05.2010 17:37 home.planet.nl /~roden171 /indexn.html
this is a beutifull site dedicated to the grumman tracker.
enjoy. reply | | Phillip M. Paski, e-mail, 13.05.2010 21:36 I was an S2 plane captain for CDR Joe Kuhn in VS-33 NASNORIS. I have many fond memories under his highly capable command. I also served with LTCDR Manny Farren in VS-33. Mr. Farren admonished me as I checked out of the squadron that veterans were either the very best or very worst college students. I graduated college in the top 10 percent of my class. Thanks for the wise words that encouraged me to succeed academically and professionally. reply | | Sting McBride, e-mail, 29.04.2010 02:59 If you haven't read the book "The Lieutenant Who never Was" do yourself a favor. I just finished it last night. Terrific from an old late sixties driver (me). (4 /27 /10). The author is Lcdr Tom Smith-one helluva story!!!!He sez it's fiction. I don't think so!!!! reply | | Doug Snyder, e-mail, 27.04.2010 08:41 Great memories of this aircraft while in VS23 attached to the USS Yorktown and flying as #3 Aircrew. Also some sad times as we lost 5 crew members in two accidents in 1968. I would like to pay tribute to those lost but not forgotten.
LCDR. Stebbins: CDR. Hubbs, LTGJ Benson, AX2 Randall Nightingale,and ADRAN Thomas Barber who replaced me as a crewmember due to a medical circumstances just 6 weeks prior to their accident off Vietnam. reply |
| Doug Snyder, e-mail, 27.04.2010 08:30 Great memories of this aircraft while in VS23 attached to the USS Yorktown and flying as #3 Aircrew. Also some sad times as we lost 5 crew members in two accidents in 1968. I would like to pay tribute to those lost but not forgotten.
LCDR. Stebbins: CDR. Hubbs, LTGJ Benson, AX2 Randall Nightingale,and ADRAN Thomas Barber who replaced me as a crewmember due to a medical circumstances just 6 weeks prior to their accident off Vietnam. reply |
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Wanted to thank you for the tribute to those VS-23 crewmembers who were lost on the 1968 cruises. I am to only remaining living crewmember who was on the S2 that was involved in the midair aircraft with LCDR Stebbins. We rode out the crash on the island of Kauai that killed LCDR Stebbins. I spent the next 4 months in Tripler Army Hospital. I was discharged in May and vowed to take LCDR Stebbins position of being a commercial pilot as he had a class date with Western Airlines when the cruise was finished. I used the GI Bill for flight training and finished a satisfying career flying the B-747. Thanks again
Tom Fehseke AX1AC VS-23 quality control. 1968
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