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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 |
| Bob Alstrin, e-mail, 13.01.2010 20:21 A Great Carrier aircraft. I came aboard CVS 18 (WASP) with one engine down, had a bolter, but was able to recover, go around, get on the ball and make an arrested landing (NIGHT)...this was October 1957. A real Brandy Hop !!! reply | | DCS, e-mail, 02.01.2010 11:17 A number of Trackers are in use by the French emergency services for fire fighting. They have been re-engined (to answer Andrej) with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6s, and are often to be seen flying in pairs in the summer skies of the Languedoc. They are equipped to deliver fire retardant chemicals, rather than water, which is the preserve of the Canadairs. reply | | Tom Smith, e-mail, 14.09.2009 22:48 Gordy, for some reason I am having a problem joining your RAFS organization. The email address keeps coming back as invalid. If possible will you add me to the rolls of organization?
LCDR Thomas G. Smith USN (Retired)
2221 W. Muirfield Drive
Anthem, AZ 85086
623-551-8689
windpress@cox.net
VS23, VT-27, USS HORNET, NAAS Fallon
Also the date of the magazine in my previous comments is 2001 not 2201! reply | | Tom Smith, e-mail, 14.09.2009 22:13 I have more than 2000 hours in the STOOF. VS-23, VT-27 (instructor), USS HORNET, NAAS Fallon. I have written one magazine article about the STOOF and one novel which involves the STOOF - both published.The article titled "Stoof" was published in the LOGBOOK (Aviation History) Volume 2, Number 3 Summer 2201. The novel is The Lieutenant Who never Was which is available online at amazon.com or through the author (cheaper!)at windpress@cox.net.
I loved this airplane. reply | |
| | Nick Onaitis, e-mail, 12.04.2009 00:53 I'm a modeler...I build USN aircraft in 1 /48 scale by preference and 1 /72 when there's no y around it. I'm going to be starting a Tracker, a Tracer, a Trader, as well as three variants of the Hawkeye, all in 1 /72 scale. Does any one know of a web site that has an image of the wing fold mechanisms of any of these aircraft? I can purchase a resin wing fold for the Hawkeye in 1 /72.
Thanks!
Nick Onaitis (ex active duty USAF and USA) reply | | Dennis Crilly, e-mail, 18.12.2008 07:46 I have about 5000 hours in this bird, I remember one dark and stormy night I was catapulted off the big (0) THATS THE USS ORISKANY for you non Navy types. The cat dude set the cat pressure for an A3 instead of the proper setting for an old cod,thats the S2f for you non Navy types. I thought the wings were going to come as we accelerated from zero to about 185 knots. There I was over the bow flying with only needle ball and alcohol. once I got the blood back in my eyes I got control of the bird. It was a night I will never forget. reply | | Jim Sweat, e-mail, 30.07.2008 05:40 VAW-33 based out of NAS Quonset Point, RI had two of a varient called EC-1A's which I flew from time to time. I understand an elint squadron on the west coast also had two. They were essentially C1's configured with loads of elint gear. Nice airplane to fly but had an aft CG problem as I recall. reply | | LCDR GORDON A BONNEL, USN(ret), e-mail, 17.05.2008 07:53 I run an outfit called RAFS (Real Aviators Flew Stoofs)
If you flew a stoof, join us by emailing me at
We have over 2500 members in roster from several countries.reply |
| thawkins, e-mail, 23.09.2007 03:08 You did not mention the C-1A Trader cargo version of this aircraft. reply | | Andrej Sýkora, e-mail, 15.08.2007 20:40 Deseo saber cuanto puede costar un S-2 Tracker en funcionamiento adecuado.
Addicionalmente, deseo saber si es posible cambiarles los motores originales, por moteres turbo-helices.
Gracias
Andrej Sýkora reply | | Andrej Sýkora, e-mail, 15.08.2007 20:40 Deseo saber cuanto puede costar un S-2 Tracker en funcionamiento adecuado.
Addicionalmente, deseo saber si es posible cambiarles los motores originales, por moteres turbo-helices.
Gracias
Andrej Sýkora reply | | Joseph H. Peek, e-mail, 30.04.2007 08:15 I flew this TS2-A aircraft in VT-27 as a student in New Iberia, LA and my wife Mary Joan pinned my Navy wings on me on Friday, 13 October 1961. I then went to FAETULANT in Norfolk, VA for electronics training, down to Key West, FL for replacement air group training and then to VS-22 in Quonset Point NAS, RI where VS-22 was decommissioned and we transferred into VS-28 (Aces & Eights poker hand logo) aboard the USS WASP, CVS-18. After four years, I was reassigned as a flight instructor in VT-27 in Corpus Christi, TX for two years. Over 2500 hours in the bird gave me a very good feeling for its capabilities and I would like to be able to have just one more go at the stick. Memories eh? Call me 404-325-4866 in GA. reply |
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I have an article here dated 01 /30 /2023
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