Grumman S-2D (ES-2D) Tracker
The Grumman S-2 Tracker was envisioned as a replacement for the previous Grumman ASW aircraft in US Navy service the AF-2 Guardian. Initially designated the S2F-1, the Tracker was the first aircraft to combine the two traditional hunter and killer roles in a single airframe. It first flew in December 1952 and entered service in 1954. Easy to fly, with a wide plethora of armament and a long loiter time, the S2F quickly became the sole US Navy ASW aircraft, earning the moniker “Stoof” for its initial designation, which was changed to S-2 in 1962.
The aircraft was versatile to be developed into two additional variants, the C-1A Trader carrier onboard delivery (COD) transport aircraft and the W2F-1 (later E-1A) Tracer. The former was a relatively simple conversion that stripped out all ASW equipment for cargo space, while the latter was more comprehensive, removing the ASW gear in favor of radar equipment; the tail was completely redesigned and a fixed radar dome attached.
All three would see extensive use during the Vietnam War; though North Vietnam had no submarines, the S-2 performed valuable maritime patrol duties and SAR support, while E-1As provided airborne early warning and C-1As supported the fleet. This proved the S-2’s only conflict in American service, as it was rapidly replaced following the end of the Vietnam War by the S-3 Viking, with the last Trackers leaving USN service in 1976. The type was extensively exported, however, with S-2s going to 15 air services, serving on carriers with Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the Netherlands. As each nation retired its carriers, the Tracker was relegated to land-based duties. Only two nations, Argentina and Taiwan, continue to fly Trackers today, the majority of these refurbished with turboprops, though a few with the original engines remain.
This Stoof is BuNo 147531, built as a S2F-3 (later S-2D) and delivered to the US Navy in 1959. It is unknown what units this aircraft flew with during its time in the fleet, and at some point in its career, it may have been converted to a TS-2A trainer. It was retired in 1967 and stored at MASDC, but in 1973, 147531 was brought out of storage and converted to an ES-2D electronic training aircraft. From 1975 to 1980, 147531 was stationed at the Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC) at NAS Point Mugu, California. It was retired in 1980 for a final time and eventually ended up at South Seattle Community College in Washington as a ground instruction trainer. 147531 was then acquired by Marsh Aviation and stored at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona. Sometime recently, it was acquired by Fighting Classics Aircraft Restoration and moved to Marana Regional Airport.
147531 still wears the colors of the PMTC, and is in fairly good shape; it is apparently being restored to flyable status by Fighting Classics (and is for sale as of June 2025). This view shows the S-2's sonobuoy compartment in the rear of the engine nacelles.
Grumman S-2D (ES-2D) Tracker
The Grumman S-2 Tracker was envisioned as a replacement for the previous Grumman ASW aircraft in US Navy service the AF-2 Guardian. Initially designated the S2F-1, the Tracker was the first aircraft to combine the two traditional hunter and killer roles in a single airframe. It first flew in December 1952 and entered service in 1954. Easy to fly, with a wide plethora of armament and a long loiter time, the S2F quickly became the sole US Navy ASW aircraft, earning the moniker “Stoof” for its initial designation, which was changed to S-2 in 1962.
The aircraft was versatile to be developed into two additional variants, the C-1A Trader carrier onboard delivery (COD) transport aircraft and the W2F-1 (later E-1A) Tracer. The former was a relatively simple conversion that stripped out all ASW equipment for cargo space, while the latter was more comprehensive, removing the ASW gear in favor of radar equipment; the tail was completely redesigned and a fixed radar dome attached.
All three would see extensive use during the Vietnam War; though North Vietnam had no submarines, the S-2 performed valuable maritime patrol duties and SAR support, while E-1As provided airborne early warning and C-1As supported the fleet. This proved the S-2’s only conflict in American service, as it was rapidly replaced following the end of the Vietnam War by the S-3 Viking, with the last Trackers leaving USN service in 1976. The type was extensively exported, however, with S-2s going to 15 air services, serving on carriers with Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and the Netherlands. As each nation retired its carriers, the Tracker was relegated to land-based duties. Only two nations, Argentina and Taiwan, continue to fly Trackers today, the majority of these refurbished with turboprops, though a few with the original engines remain.
This Stoof is BuNo 147531, built as a S2F-3 (later S-2D) and delivered to the US Navy in 1959. It is unknown what units this aircraft flew with during its time in the fleet, and at some point in its career, it may have been converted to a TS-2A trainer. It was retired in 1967 and stored at MASDC, but in 1973, 147531 was brought out of storage and converted to an ES-2D electronic training aircraft. From 1975 to 1980, 147531 was stationed at the Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC) at NAS Point Mugu, California. It was retired in 1980 for a final time and eventually ended up at South Seattle Community College in Washington as a ground instruction trainer. 147531 was then acquired by Marsh Aviation and stored at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona. Sometime recently, it was acquired by Fighting Classics Aircraft Restoration and moved to Marana Regional Airport.
147531 still wears the colors of the PMTC, and is in fairly good shape; it is apparently being restored to flyable status by Fighting Classics (and is for sale as of June 2025). This view shows the S-2's sonobuoy compartment in the rear of the engine nacelles.