Stoof |
Grumman S2-F Tracker
The Grumman S-2 Tracker (previously S2F) was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft to enter service with the US Navy.
Its predecessor, the AF-2 Guardian was the first purpose-built aircraft system for ASW, using two airframes, one with the detection gear, and the other with the weapons. Grumman's design (model G-89) was for a large high-wing monoplane with twin Wright Cyclone radial engines.
Both the two prototypes XS2F-1 and 15 production aircraft, S2F-1 were ordered at the same time, on 30 June 1950. First flight was 4 December 1952, and production aircraft entered service, with VS-26, in February 1954. Follow-on versions included the WF Tracer and TF Trader, which became the E-1 Tracer and C-1 Trader in the tri-service designation standardization of 1962. The S-2 carried the nickname "Stoof" (S-two-F) throughout its military career; and the E-1 Tracer variant with the large overhead radome was called the "stoof with a roof.".[1]
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 and Taiwan. The Tracker was eventually superseded for U.S. military use by the S-3 Viking — the last USN Tracker squadron (VS-37 with S-2G models) was disestablished in 1976, but a number live on as firefighting aircraft. Trackers continued to provide excellent service in 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 assets until the mid 1980s.
General characteristics: Crew: four (two pilots, two detection systems operators), Length: 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m), Wingspan: 72 ft 7 in (22.12 m), Height: 17 ft 6 in (5.33 m), Wing area: 485 ft² (45.06 m²), Empty weight: 18,315 lb (8,310 kg), Loaded weight: 23,435 lb (10,630 kg), Max takeoff weight: 26,147 lb (11,860 kg), Powerplant: 2× Wright R-1820-82WA radial engines, 1,525 hp (kW) each, Performance: Maximum speed: 280 mph (450 km/h) at sea level
Cruise speed: 150 mph (240 km/h), Range: 1,350 mi (2,170 km) or 9 hours endurance, Service ceiling 22,000 ft (6,700 m), Armament: 2× homing torpedoes (Mk. 41, Mk. 43, or Mk. 34), depth charges (Mk. 54), or mines in the bomb bay, 6× underwing hardpoints for torpedoes, depth charges, or rockets
USN 81 René Hieronymus Scale 1:72 Building time approx: 28 hrs.
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