Introduction
The Grumman S2F / S-2 Tracker Survivors website will continue to update the Grumman Tracker Series of
aircraft that still exist, which includes the S2F (S-two-f or Stoof), CS2F
Tracker, the TF-1 / C-1A Trader, and WF-2 / E-1B Tracer. Since the
initiation of this website and effort in 2006, I have found and logged 242
Trackers, 25 Traders, and 6 Tracers that still exist worldwide. Separately
cataloged are another 91 Trackers, 3 Traders, and 11 Tracers in the
United Aeronautical Corporation Salvage Yard in Tucson, AZ. Those
airframes are supplying parts, and will never leave that facility as an entire
airframe.
This page updated 10-23-2024.
The Iron Lady, 136427, is coming at you!! Anderson Runway
18 in 1998. Photo courtesy of Brian
Gwaltney.
Unfortunately, very few of these hardworking and venerable aircraft are still
around today. Even fewer are still flying at air shows or displayed at aviation museums around the world. Our primary
focus will be to provide you with up-to-date information on where you can see
the remaining Trackers, Traders, and Tracers, and also provide direct links to
any information, including photos of these venerable aircraft.
This has been, and continues to be, an interesting
task. The final number of Trackers and their derivatives still in existence worldwide
is yet unknown. I am
continually updating the site as I discover new information and aircraft.
David D Jackson
12-11-2016
Trackers are world famous!!
This is from the front page of the "China
Daily-The National English Language Newspaper" from October 24, 2007. I
was on a business trip all the way to Shanghai, China. There, during breakfast at the hotel,
was a photo of Tanker 73
(149848) on the
front page of the newspaper!
Worldwide Database of
the locations of known existing Trackers, Traders, and Tracers
Definitions:
Registered - These are aircraft that are registered with a
country's respective civil aviation authority for civilian flight. For
the most part, these are air tankers used in three countries, a handful of warbirds, and some that, even though still registered, are museum displays
with no intent of being flown by their present owners.
Military - These are aircraft that are in service with a country's
respective military service. Surprisingly, the S2F is still in limited
service with two military arms. Seeing how the S2F first flew in 1952
and is still in military service, puts it in the same longevity class as the Boeing
B-52. This is
outstanding!
Museum - These are aircraft no longer registered, nor in active
military service, but are currently on static display at any type of venue. They can be either inside or outside.
One is located outside the entrance to an international airport.
Storage - These are aircraft that do not fit in any of the above
classifications. They are still sitting on the landing gear and still look to be
a whole airframe. Engines do not need to be on, as they are the first items
to be used on another flying aircraft and can be replaced rather easily.
There is still the possibility the aircraft could be made flyable,
or into a museum display. There are some S2F hulks in British Columbia,
Canada that have not been included in this classification, as the landing
gears have been removed and the airframes are being used as spare parts.
World
Wide Location of S2F/S-2 or CS2F Trackers - Aircraft were all originally built
by Grumman or deHavilland Canada. As currently registered or flying, the
aircraft could have been remanufactured by Conair, Grumman, Marsh, IAI, or
others. Not included in this accounting are 91 Trackers located at
United Aeronautical Corporation in Tucson, AZ.
For the first time since this website opened in 2006, the number of
Trackers has gone down. With the sale of 11 Trackers (10 of them
previously identified on this website) in Australia to UAC for spare
parts, the number has gone down by ten. The previously high of 251
will probably never be reached again. |
Country |
Registered |
Military |
Museum/Display |
Storage |
Total |
Argentina |
0 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
9 |
Australia |
1 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
Brazil |
0 |
0 |
5 |
4 |
9 |
Canada |
17 |
0 |
13 |
17 |
47 |
France |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
Italy |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
Japan |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Netherlands |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
Peru |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
South Korea |
0 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
8 |
Taiwan |
0 |
27 |
4 |
0 |
31 |
Thailand |
0 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
Turkey |
1 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
9 |
Uruguay |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
Venezuela |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
USA |
41 |
0 |
30 |
12 |
88 |
Total |
72 |
32 |
91 |
47 |
242 |
World Wide
Location of TF-1/C-1A Traders - Not included in this accounting are
3 Traders located at United Aeronautical Corporation in Tucson, AZ. |
Country |
Registered |
Military |
Museum |
Storage |
Total |
Brazil |
0 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
8 |
USA |
9 |
0 |
6 |
2 |
17 |
Total |
9 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
25 |
World Wide
Location of WF-2/E-1B Tracers - Not included in this accounting are 11
Tracers located at United Aeronautical Corporation in Tucson, AZ. |
Country |
Registered |
Military |
Museum |
Storage |
Total |
USA |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
2024 S2F, C-1 and
EB-1 Current Events:
136573: This Tracker has now
sold for a second time through an auction. The selling price was $6,500 on
10-22-2024.
https://www.govdeals.com/asset/2200/2921
DDJ 10-23-2024
136573: This Tracker is once
again up for sale. This is the second time this aircraft has been up for
sale this year as it originally sold on 7-25-2024.
The current bidding on the aircraft closes on 10-22-2024. As of
10-13-2024, the bid was $725 with 22 bids being made. The original bid was
for $10. Trackers get no respect with an initial bid of $10.
https://www.govdeals.com/asset/2200/2921 This information provided courtesy of Stephen Burdette
and Tracy Thomas.
DDJ 10-13-2024
151664: In May 2018, I visited this
Tracker at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Project located at the former NAS
Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY. The aircraft had recently arrived at
this location from the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Long Island, NY. I
noted that 151664 was in "sad shape" and had apparently been damaged in transit.
In the ensuing six years the volunteers have gone to work on the Tracker and
have restored it to museum display condition. The Historical Aircraft
Restoration Project team has done an excellent job of restoring this aircraft.
Below are four photos of 151664 in its restored condition. I want to thank
Dominick from the Restoration Project for updating me on this aircraft and
providing the photos.
DDJ 10-13-2024
Photo courtesy of Dominick Vasaturo.
Photo courtesy of Dominick Vasaturo.
Photo courtesy of Dominick Vasaturo.
Photo courtesy of Dominick Vasaturo.
152828:
This former Argentine Naval Aviation Tracker was
donated on May 17, 2024 to the city of Lujan. It will go on display at the
entrance to the city.
More information can be found at:
https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2024/08/actualidad-del-tracker-de-lujan.html
This information provided courtesy of Neil Stephenson.
DDJ 8-22-2024.
136573: This Tracker was sold
to an unknown owner on 7-25-2024.
https://www.govdeals.com/asset/2200/2921 This information provided courtesy of Stephen Burdette.
DDJ 8-22-2024
Trackers Deregistered as of 2-12-2024:
Deregistered Trackers as of 2-12-2024 |
Bureau
Number |
FAA Registration |
Owner,
Location |
Date
Deregistered |
New
Category |
133090 |
N417DF |
Columbia
Airport, CA |
9-24-2021 |
USA
Museum or Outside Display Category |
133204 |
N710VC |
Specline Corp
dba The Cactus Air Force of Carson City, NV |
9-4-2021 |
Storage
Category |
133275 |
N423DF |
Christopher Schneider, Sutter Creek, CA |
9-21-2021 |
Storage
Category |
133322 |
N406DF |
Christopher Schneider, Sutter Creek, CA |
10-31-2020 |
Storage
Category |
136479 |
N420DF |
Christopher Schneider, Sutter Creek, CA |
12-4-2021 |
Storage
Category |
136636 |
N7141D |
Rick
Clemens, Carson City, NV |
11-5-2022 |
Storage
Category |
The Last Known Location of the former Marsh Trackers auctioned off in
December 2022: I had not heard or
really had an opportunity to determine where the Marsh Trackers went after they
were auctioned off. Then, in January 2024, I received an email from Mr.
Dave Stock of the United Kingdom. Mr. Stock visited Arizona in March 2023
in order to overfly the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at
Davis-Monthan ARB in Tucson, AZ. To those of us interested in warbirds,
this is more commonly known as the bone yard. This is very cool. While I
did a bus tour of the AMARG many years ago, I was unaware one could now fly over
it.
While Mr. Stock was in Arizona, he also visited
several other aviation locations and took aircraft photos like many of us do
when we go somewhere. One such stop was the former Marsh Aviation at Mesz,
AZ. There he photographed several Trackers that were still there from the
December 2022 auction. When he returned home, Mr. Stock found my website
with the listing of the Trackers that were sold in the auction and began
researching their location. The information shown below includes the work
of Mr. Stock and many of his photos. Thanks to his research we now know
who purchased many of the Marsh Trackers and where they ended up.
Five former Marsh Trackers were purchased by the
United Aeronautical Corporation (UAC) for parts. They are 136665, 135723,
136724, 151667, and 136743. United is the world's largest supplier of
Grumman Tracker spare parts. I was able to visit it in 2010. Since I
was there not only have the former Marsh aircraft been added to the inventory,
but several Trackers from Australia were purchased for spare parts.
Three Trackers were found at ATW Restoration Company
of Marana, AZ. This company is a warbird restoration facility. Mr.
Stock found 136666, 136668, and 147531 which had all been disassembled for the
transport from Mesa, AZ to Marana, AZ. By August 2023, ATW had reassembled
146531 which can be seen from West Avra Valley Road.
Trackers 136613, 136737, and 136746 are still
located at Marsh Aviation.
Trackers136729 and 13670 are in unknown locations.
Tracker 136736 is the only aircraft from the Marsh
collection that has been returned to flying condition. It is in Nickerson,
KS.
Mr. Stock's research and photos have been
instrumental in doing this update on the location of the former Marsh Trackers.
Without his information and photos, I would not have been able to provide the
information below. Thank you Mr. Stock.
All photos and information in this section were
added 2-7-2024.
DDJ 2-7-2024
Former
Marsh Tracker Current Locations as of February 7, 2024 |
Year
and Type |
Bureau
Number |
Marsh
FAA Registration |
Tail
Number |
Final
Bid |
Owner
as of 2-3-2024 |
Current Location |
Comments |
1955 S2F-1 |
136613 |
N613MA |
180 |
$1,200 |
Marsh
Aviation |
Former
Marsh Aviation Storage Yard |
This was
converted to a Marsh S-2F1T Turbo Tracker. This aircraft is
still registered with the FAA. |
1957 S2F-1 |
136665 |
N665MA |
13 |
$2,300 |
UAC |
UAC Yard
in Tucson, AZ |
Found by
Mr. Dave Stock in March 2023. This aircraft has been
de-registered with the FAA. The airframe has been
disassembled. |
1957 S2F-1 |
136666 |
N5830H |
14 |
$2,400 |
Unknown
Owner-San Diego, CA |
ATW
Restoration Company |
Found by
Mr. Dave Stock in March 2023. This aircraft is still
registered with the FAA, but appears to be in the process of being
de-registered. The airframe has been disassembled. |
1958 S2F-1 |
136668 |
N5830D |
16 |
$800 |
Unknown
Owner-San Diego, CA |
ATW
Restoration Company |
Found by
Mr. Dave Stock in March 2023. This aircraft is still
registered with the FAA, but appears to be in the process of being
de-registered. The airframe has been disassembled. |
1958 S2F-1 |
136723 |
N327MA |
32 |
$2,100 |
UAC |
UAC Yard
in Tucson, AZ |
Found by
Mr. Dave Stock in March 2023. This aircraft has been
de-registered with the FAA. The airframe has been
disassembled. |
1958 S2F-1 |
136724 |
N724MA |
33 |
$1,100 |
UAC |
UAC Yard
in Tucson, AZ |
Found by
Mr. Dave Stock in March 2023. This aircraft is still
registered with the FAA, but appears to be in the process of being
de-registered. The airframe has been disassembled. |
1958 S2F-1 |
136729 |
N729MA |
35 |
$6,500 |
Unknown
Owner-Tucson, AZ |
Unknown
location |
If
someone knows the location of this airframe, please contact me with
that information. This aircraft is still registered with the
FAA, but appears to be in the process of being de-registered. |
1958 S2F-1 |
136736 |
N736MA |
154 |
$23,250 |
William E Garrison, Jr.-
Nickerson, KS |
Nickerson, KS |
This is
the second S2F that Mr. Garrison has purchased for conversion to an
air tanker. |
1958 S2F-1 |
136737 |
N773MA |
40 |
$10,000 |
Unknown
Owner-Rockland, MA |
Former
Marsh Aviation Storage Yard |
This
aircraft is still registered with the FAA, but appears to be in the
process of being de-registered. |
1958 S2F-1 |
136740 |
N740MA |
43 |
$2,500 |
Unknown
Owner-San Diego, CA |
Unknown
location |
If
someone knows the location of this airframe, please contact me with
that information. This aircraft is still registered with the
FAA, but appears to be in the process of being de-registered. |
1958 S2F-1 |
136743 |
N743MA |
44 |
$7,000 |
UAC |
UAC Yard
in Tucson, AZ |
Found by
Mr. Dave Stock in March 2023. This aircraft has been
de-registered. The airframe has been disassembled. |
1958 S2F-1 |
136746 |
N746MA |
155 |
$9,500 |
Unknown
Owner-Amboy, WA |
Former
Marsh Aviation Storage Yard |
This was
converted to a Marsh S-2F1T Turbo Tracker. This aircraft is
still registered with the FAA, but appears to be in the process of
being de-registered. |
1959 S2F-1 |
147531 |
N147MA |
26 |
$2,700 |
Unknown
Owner |
ATW
Restoration Company |
Found by
Mr. Dave Stock in March 2023. As of August 2023, the wings,
landing gear, engines, and props have been re-installed on this
Tracker. This aircraft has been de-registered with the FAA at
some time previous to the auction. |
1964 S-2E |
151667 |
N667MA |
24 |
$1,000 |
Holt
Lawrence-North Hollywood, CA |
UAC Yard
in Tucson, AZ |
Found by
Mr. Dave Stock in March 2023. The address given for Mr.
Lawrence is the same for UAC. He may be an officer with the
company and his name was assigned to the FAA registration.
This aircraft is still registered with the FAA. The airframe
has been disassembled. |
Former Marsh Aviation Tracker Airframes at Marsh
Aviation, Mesa, AZ: As of 9-25-2023, three Trackers were still at this
location. They were: 136613, 136736, and 136737.
This Google Maps Satellite view shows the Grumman
Trackers and Grumman Albatrosses that were in the Marsh Aviation yard prior to
the December 2022 auction. Image courtesy of Google Maps.
This and the next image are views of the Marsh
outside storage area shown from the street before the auction. Image
courtesy of Google Maps.
Image courtesy of Google Maps.
This Google Earth satellite view taken 9-25-2023
shows that there are three Trackers and three Albatrosses still remaining in the
storage area. Image courtesy of Google Earth.
The Tracker with
orange paint and no engines in the center of the yard is 136613. This is the
first Marsh turbo Tracker used to test the concept of installing turbines in
place of radial engines on the aircraft. Marsh Aviation purchased this
aircraft back from the auction for $1,200. The Tracker in the lower right
with red paint and no engines is 136736. This was the second Marsh Turbo
tracker and was purchased by an unknown buyer in Amboy, WA. The third
Tracker is 136737 which was purchased by an unknown buyer from Rockland, MA for
$10,000. Image courtesy of courtesy of Google Earth.
When Mr. Stock arrived at Marsh Aviation, the sun
had already set. However, he was still able to photograph the three
Trackers in the storage lot. This is 136613 which is tail number 180.
Dave has provided positive identification of this airframe shown in the Google
Earth view above. In the background, it is possible to read some of the
tail markings of 155 on 136746, confirming its presence at Marsh. Photo
courtesy of Dave Stock.
Author's photo of 136746 with 155 on the vertical
stabilizer.
Mr. Stock took this photo over the block wall that
surrounds the Marsh storage lot. The markings of the Tracker in the
foreground confirms this is 136737. This has the same markings as the
photo shown next that I took when at Marsh Aviation in May 2009. Photo
courtesy of Dave Stock.
Author's photo of 135737.
Mr. Stock was also able to photograph 136729 and
136736. Both were at Marsh when Mr. Stock visited there in March 2023. By
the end of September 2023, they were gone. 136729 left for an unknown
location and 136726 flew to Nickerson, KS. 136729 has no paint with the
exception of the nose and engine nacelles.
The auctioneers identified this airframe as 136729.
The image of the rear of the aircraft matches with
the Mr. Stock's photo of 136729.
Former Marsh Aviation Tracker Airframes at the
United Aeronautical Corporation yard at Tucson, AZ: Former Marsh
Trackers located at this location are 136665, 135723, 136724, 151667, and
136743.
This is one of Mr. Stock's photo's from his flight
over the AMARG. In this case, this is the UAC yard. Photo courtesy
of Dave Stock.
This section of his photo from above shows the
aircraft he identified as being former Marsh Trackers. Photo courtesy of
Dave Stock.
This and the next photo were taken through the chain
link fence. He is one of many, including myself, who have taken photos of
the trackers in the UAC yard from this location. Photo courtesy of Dave
Stock.
Mr. Stock was able to identify all of the aircraft
in this row except for the one beyond "32." This is the one with the rod
sticking out of it and the paint flaking off. Photo courtesy of Dave
Stock.
This image 136743 identifies this as the missing
fuselage in the group at UAC.
Former Marsh Aviation Tracker Airframes at ATW
Restoration Company in Marana, AZ: Former Marsh Trackers located at
this location are 136666, 136668, and 147531.
In this image, the fuselage sections of 136666 and
136668 can be seen. Photo courtesy of Dave Stock.
Tracker 147431 can be seen in this image.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stock.
This Google Maps street view dated August 2023 shows
that 147531 has been reassembled.
The auctioneers identified this airframe as 147531. Note that the paint
scheme on the vertical stabilizer is the same as the rebuilt Tracker at ATW
Restoration.
148922: This E-1B Tracer has been moved
from the UAC yard in Tucson, AZ to the nearby Pima Air and Space Museum.
The owner has moved it to the Pima Air Museum to continue the restoration of the
aircraft.
This aircraft was identified and photographed by Mr.
Dave Stock in March 2023.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stock added 2-7-2024.
Photo courtesy of Dave Stock added 2-7-2024.
147641: I want to thank Mr. Jan de
Boeff for sending these photos of 147641 doing engine run-ups in the
Netherlands.
Photo courtesy of Jan de Boeff added 2-7-2024.
Photo courtesy of Jan de Boeff added 2-7-2024.
2023 S2F, C-1 and
EB-1 Current Events: Unfortunately,
2023 was a quiet year for the Grumman Tracker. There were no new updates.
2022 S2F, C-1 and
EB-1 Current Events:
Marsh Aviation:
Steve Williams informed me on 11-28-2022 that Marsh Aviation, which for many years
supplied Cal Fire with both piston powered and turbo powered Grumman Trackers,
is going out of business. All of the equipment and parts, including
fourteen Tracker airframes are being auctioned off. While it is sad to hear
this has happened, it is not a surprise. With its business model of
re-furbishing S2F Trackers as fire bombers, when Cal Fire purchased its last
S-2T, the end was in sight. While it was able to convert several C-2s for
Brazil, it apparently could not find any more new business.
The bidding has closed on the Grumman Trackers at
Marsh. The good news is that on several of the aircraft there was some
intense bidding at higher than just scrap values for the airframes. Below
are the final bids to the best of my knowledge. Several of them closed as
I was watching the bidding on other airframes. There were at least four
different individuals bidding for and winning the Trackers.
DDJ 12-7-2022
The Final Bids:
-
- 136613. 1955 S2F-1
converted to a US-2A. Grumman serial number 522. Described as a
Marsh S-2F1T Turbo Tracker. Registered as N613MA. Number 180.
Final bid = $1,200.
-
- 136665. 1957 S2F-1.
This is a former Japanese Tracker. Registered as N665MA. Number
13. Final bid = $2,300.
-
- 136666. 1957 S2F-1.
This is a former Japanese Tracker. Registered as N5830H. Number
14. Final bid = $2,400.
-
- 136668. 1958 S2F-1.
This is a former Japanese Tracker. Registered as N5830D. Number
16. Last known bid = $800.
-
- 136723. 1958 S2F-1.
This is a former Japanese Tracker. Registered as N327MA. Number
32. Last known bid = $1,100.
-
- 136724. 1958 S2F-1.
This is a former Japanese Tracker. Registered as N724MA. Number
33. Last known bid = $2,100.
-
- 136729. 1958 S2F-1.
This is a former Japanese Tracker. Registered as N729MA. Number
35. Final bid = $6,500.
-
- 136736. 1958 S2F-1.
This is a former Japanese Tracker. Registered as N736MA. Number
154. Final bid = $23,250.
-
- 136737. 1958 S2F-1.
This is a former Japanese Tracker. Registered as N773MA. Number
40. Final bid = $10,000.
-
- 136740. 1958 S2F-1.
This is a former Japanese Tracker. Registered as N740MA. Number
43. Final bid = $2,500.
-
- 136743. 1958 S2F-1.
This is a former Japanese Tracker. Registered as N743MA. Number
44. Final bid = $7,000.
-
- 136746. 1958 S2F-1.
This is a former Japanese Tracker and was apparently the prototype S-2T
Turbo Tracker. Registered as N746MA. Number 155. Final bid =
$9,500.
-
- 147531. 1959 S2F-3.
This was obtained from Seattle University and converted to an S2F-3T.
Tested a Naval Station Pax River in 1991 for carrier qualifications.
Registered as N147MA. Number 26. Final bid = $2,700.
-
- 151667. 1964 S2-E.
This is a former U.S. Navy Tracker. Registered as N667MA. Number
24. Final bid = $1,000.
The Trackers that are shown as
previously serving with the Japanese Defense Forces all have around 7,000 hours
on the airframe. The intention of Marsh Aviation was to convert these into
Turbo Trackers.
146044: On 9-21-2022, David Huffman of
Oklahoma City notified me that he was now the proud owner of Trader 146044.
For as long as I can remember, this aircraft has been owned by Doug Goss of
Topeka, KS, and operated under the name of "Trader Air, Inc."
Congratulations to David Huffman on becoming the new owner of this great looking
Trader. David mentioned that he had already had it out to two airshows already
and was planning on more. I look forward to seeing this Trader on the airshow circuit in the near future. DDJ 9-23-2022.
Photo courtesy of David Huffman.
Photo courtesy of David Huffman.
Photo courtesy of David Huffman.
Photo courtesy of David Huffman.
2021 S2F, C-1 and
EB-1 Current Events:
In July 2021, I was in Florida on a family vacation.
This allowed me to visit both the Valiant Air Museum in Titusville and the
Kissimmee Gateway Airport. While there, I was able to photograph and update my
information on Trackers 136534, 136433, and Trader 146029.
136534: The first time I visited 136534 at the Kissimmee
Gateway, FL airport was in July 2010. The aircraft at that time
looked to be in reasonable shape for being stored outside. My return visit in July
2021 told a totally different and sad story. The aircraft looked derelict,
highly weathered, and the props had been removed. In other words, 136534
is currently in very sad shape. DDJ 7-27-2021.
This is 136534 in July 2010. The aircraft is in
relatively good condition. Author's photo.
Author's photo.
This is 136534 in July 2021. It has been moved
from its previous position on the ramp. The wings have been folded and the
propellers removed. For the wings to be folded, an engine would have
needed to be running, unless an external source of 3,000 psi hydraulic pressure
was supplied. The propellers would also have been on the aircraft at
the time of the engine run-ups. The bombs on the wings were also removed.
The Tracker was deregistered in 2018. Author's photo added 7-27-2021.
The crew hatch is slightly open and is not
secured. Author's photo added 7-27-2021.
146029: Also located across the ramp
from the Tracker 136534 is Trader C-1A 146029. This is the first time I
have seen the aircraft, which was previously stored in Tom Reilly's former
hangar at the airport. I was told at Warbird Adventures that it had a broken
spar. The Trader looks to be in very good condition, indicating it has not
been outside for very long. With a broken spar, it is unlikely it will ever fly
again. However, it would make an excellent static display in a museum.
The aircraft was deregistered in October 2013. DDJ 7-27-2021.
Author's photo added 7-27-2021.
136433: There is some good news on
136433 at the Valiant Air Museum in Titusville, FL. This Tracker was in
the maintenance hangar to bring it back to air or near airworthiness, as the museum wants to get all the systems working but
does not plan on flying the aircraft. Instead, it will run the engines and
do wing fold demonstrations. It was not specified when these
demonstrations would begin. DDJ 7-27-2021.
It was a pleasant surprise to see that 136433 had been
moved from its display area in the Vietnam War hangar to the maintenance hangar.
Author's photo added 7-27-2021.
The props have had their five-year Air Worthiness
Directive recently completed. Author's photo added 7-27-2021.
The spare engine for the Tracker is in front of the port engine. Author's
photo added 7-27-2021.
RCN 1573: RCN 1573 arrived safely at
the BC Aviation Museum July 5, 2021. The Tracker can now be put on
display for the visitors of the museum.
DDJ 7-8-2021
RCN 1573: RCN 1573 has been moved from
its location in the parking lot of the University of the Fraser Valley in
Chilliwack, BC. (See the report below in 2020 Current Events.) As of
this date, it has been moved to a secure location near the banks of the Fraser
River while the British
Columbia Aviation Museum, now the owner of the Tracker, waits for the river to
rise with the spring thaw. When the water is high enough, the Museum plans
to load the Tracker onto a barge. It will then be moved down the Fraser
River and across the Strait of Georgia to the museum located in Victoria on
Vancouver Island. It should be at the museum this summer. Thank you
to Paul Thompson and David Martin Jackson, President of the BC Aviation Museum,
for providing the update. DDJ 3-11-2021.
2020 S2F, C-1 and
EB-1 Current Events:
RCN 1573:
This Tracker was previously located at the
Chilliwack Military Education Centre in Chilliwack, BC, which closed in 2015.
The Tracker was then moved to an undisclosed location. Information
received from Kaz Sjoblom indicates the aircraft is
now at 45070 Caen Ave. Chilliwack BC in Canada Education Park. Thank you
to Kaz Sjoblom for providing this update. DDJ 10-28-2020.
Photo courtesy of Kaz Sjoblom.
The photos show that some work has been done on the
aircraft. When I photographed it in May 2012, the engine nacelles were
painted orange and 573 was painted on the nose. The top rudder section was
also missing in 2012. That has not yet been repaired. Photo courtesy of Kaz Sjoblom.
152836: Here is a photo from the Steve
Walter collection of Cal Fire Tanker 94 at the 2016 Reno Air Races.
Photo courtesy of Steve Walter added
5-26-2020.
RCN 1600:
Good news! Laurie Miller from Ontario has informed me
that this Tracker has now found a home at the Edenvale Aerodrome east of Strayer,
ONT. This, and many of the aircraft from the former Toronto Aerospace
Museum that closed in 2011, are now located here. The museum closed, when it
along with other tenants in the building at Downsville, were denied
continuation of their leases. The landlord wanted to build a hockey rink
at that location. After all these years, the Tracker, along with the rest of
the collection, has ended up at the Edenvale Aerodrome as part of the renamed
"Canadian Air & Space Conservatory." The Tracker is on
outdoor display
with a Mig-15 and a T-33. There is also a new hangar for many of the
aircraft to be display indoors. I look forward to making a trip to see RCN
1600 in the near future. Thank you to Laurie Miller for providing this
information. DDJ 4-2-2020
RCN 1577: Laurie also informed me that
this was on track for a first flight in 2022. This is the Tracker owned by
the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum that was being restored to flight
status since 2012. It is unknown how much the Covid-19 pandemic will
affect this progress. Thank you to Laurie for providing this information. DDJ 4-2-2020
2019 S2F, C-1 and
EB-1 Current Events:
RCN 1573:
This former RCN Tracker was donated to the
Chilliwack Military Education Centre in Chilliwack, BC by Conair in January
2010. I had the opportunity to stop and photograph it in May 2012.
In 2015 the Education Center lost its lease on the building it was in, and all
of the display items are reported to be in storage in barns and houses. The
location and status of the Tracker is unknown. Any information on this
airframe would be appreciated.
DDJ 11-19-2019
RCN 1600: The Toronto
Aerospace Museum, Toronto, Ontario has a similar situation as the one
above, also having closed several years ago. The Tracker is also in
storage somewhere in the Toronto area. Any information on this airframe
would be appreciated.
DDJ 11-19-2019
136663: The continuing saga.
Information provided by Steve Williams indicates that 136663 has now been sold for a
second time in a GSA auction. Steve reports that it is located at the UAC
Yard in Tucson, AZ. Reported selling price was $8,900 by an unnamed
bidder. If it ended up in the UAC Yard, then the unnamed bidder was UAC.
Thank you to Steve for providing the update.
This was reportedly sold in 2014 with the owner originally
intending to get the aircraft flying again. Then the owner wanted to trade
or sell it. Apparently, this did not work out. It would appear he did
not get it off the government property in a timely manner and it went up for
sale again in 2018. See the bottom of my USA Tracker
page for more information.
DDJ 11-16-2019
136508: More photos and video of this
Tracker, now in KS. Photos and videos provided by Bill Garrison.
Connor Garrison photo.
Connor Garrison photo.
Connor Garrison photo.
Videos provided by Bill Garrison:
Connor Garrison videos.
Engine
start and run-ups, 3:42 minutes in length
Engine
start, :37 minutes in length
Water
dump test on ramp, 2:09 minutes in length
DDJ 4-12-2019
136508: An update on this Tracker.
It
is now at the Hutchison, KS airport. Owner Bill Garrison has informed me
that the Tracker will be used in Kansas as a fire bomber. This is the
first time there has been fire bomber in the state, and Bill will lease to the
state of Kansas for use during the summer fire seasons. Large grass fires
is a new issue in Kansas and 136508 has been purchased to help fight the fires.
The retardant tanks and plumbing have all been tested and work just like they
did when the aircraft was part of the CALFIRE fleet. 136508 has had its
airworthiness certificate issued, the ADs on the props have been completed, and
the props reinstalled on the aircraft. Air crew training will take place
the last week of March 2019.
DDJ 3-13-2019
136508 in her hangar at KHUT, KS. Gordon Cole
photo via Bill Garrison.
Gordon Cole photo via Bill Garrison.
136778: As a follow-up to determine whether this
aircraft was now owned by the Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana, OH, I visited
the Museum on 2-22-2019. This visit verified Trader 136778 is now
actually located in Ohio and is parked inside the Museum's hangar next to the
Museum's B-17 restoration project. According to one of the volunteers
working on the B-17, 136778 "Mudflap Girl" was flown up from Eufaula, AL
in early January 2019 by the
previous owner, Daniel H. Serrato. The volunteer
was under the impression that Dan Serrato had donated the aircraft to the
museum. He also told me that the Museum was going to keep the Trader in
flying condition.
DDJ 2-26-2019
Author's photo.
Author's photo.
Author's photo.
136508: This Tracker has changed
ownership. As of 2-14-2019, it is now owned by William E Garrison, Jr. of
Nickerson, KS. It was previously owned by Speckline of Carson City, NV.
Mr. Garrison is working on obtaining his type rating for the aircraft.
Hopefully this means he plans on flying it at airshows in the Midwest starting
this season. It is great to see a Tracker back in the Midwest.
DDJ 2-17-2019
136508 at Carson City, NV in May 2010. It will
be interesting to see what the paint scheme is on the aircraft now that it is in
Kansas and with a new owner. Author's photo.
136778: This C-1A was
purchased by the Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana, OH, on 1-15-2019.
This is part of a collection of growing warbirds at the museum which includes a
B-17G undergoing full restoration to flying condition. The museum is an
easy day trip from my house, and I look forward to seeing 133778 on my visits to
the museum, and the annual aviation events that take place at the airport.
DDJ 2-17-2019
Trader 136778 departing the 2011 Indianapolis
Airshow on Sunday afternoon after the show. Author's photo.
2018 S2F, C-1 and
EB-1 Current Events:
136663: Information provided by Steve
Williams indicates that 136663 is now up for sale for scrap value in a GSA
auction. This was reportedly sold in 2014 with the owner originally
intending to get the aircraft flying again. Then the owner wanted to trade
or sell it. Apparently, this did not work out. It would appear he did
not get it off the government property in a timely manner. Now it is up for
sale again. See the bottom of my USA Tracker
page for more information.
The GSA sale description indicate the engines and
props are for ballast only, as they are failed units. The rudder is
missing from the aircraft.
Thank you to Steve Williams for the update.
DDJ 11-29-2018
136792:
Mystery solved. Trader C-1A as of Saturday,
November 3, 2018, has a new home at the Naval Inventory Control Point at 700
Robbins Ave. in Philadelphia, PA. It joins six other former Navy aircraft
that are already on display out in front of the building. The centerpiece
of the display is an AD-3 Skyraider. Also on display is an AV-8C, A-6,
F-18, F14, SH-60, and an unidentified helicopter or helicopter drone.
Trader 136792 is actually very special. In
1957 it was the test aircraft for the tail section for the WF-2 Tracer.
The tail section was not removed after testing, and 136792 returned to normal
duty with the twin tail. It is a one-of-kind aircraft. It was
supposed to have turboprop engines installed as part of the test program,
but that never came to pass.
Trader 136792 had her Tracer tail section reassembled
when pictured at her new home at NAVICP Philadelphia on November 3, 2018.
Photo courtesy of Commander Chuck Mosely, U.S.N. (Retired) of All Coast Aircraft
Recovery.
Photo courtesy of Commander Chuck Mosely, U.S.N.
(Retired) of All Coast Aircraft Recovery.
Photo courtesy of Commander Chuck Mosely, U.S.N.
(Retired) of All Coast Aircraft Recovery.
Photo courtesy of Commander Chuck Mosely, U.S.N.
(Retired) of All Coast Aircraft Recovery.
136792:
More information on Trader 136792's trip to her new
home has been provided by Matt Ainslie. He spotted her at the Cheltenham
Mall (Cheltenham, Pa.) on Friday, November 2, 2018. The driver of the
tractor pulling the trailer was not around to be questioned as to the final
destination of 136792.
Matt reported back on Saturday November 2 that the
Trader had continued its journey.
Photo courtesy of Matt Ainslie.
Photo courtesy of Matt Ainslie.
Thank you to Matt for the update.
DDJ 11-3-2018
152800, 152805, 152809, 152811, 152837, 153576,
153578: New information received from Steve Williams indicates that
the sale of these Trackers located in Australia has been completed to United Aeronautical
Corporation. In the near future, they will be shipped to UAC's facility in Tucson, AZ, USA, where they will be used for spare parts for
currently flying Trackers. The UAC yard in Tucson has the largest
collection of Tracker parts in the world.
DDJ 11-1-2018
136792: The three photos below were
provided by Jaap Van Dorp, taken by his daughter-in-law Crystal Van Dorp.
They show the fuselage for Trader 136792 sitting on a trailer along westbound
I-84 in Danbury, CT on October 27, 2018. This is the first indication that
136792, which was part of the now closed Quonset Air Museum, is headed to a new
home. It is unknown where the Trader is headed. Any information on
its new home and owner would be most welcome.
This was really good news provided by the van Dorp
family.
DDJ 10-28-2018
It would appear these photos were taken at the end
of a travel day for 136792 from Quonset Point, RI to Danbury CT. Due to
this being an oversize load which can only travel in daylight, the Trader had to
stop for the day. Photo by Crystal van Dorp via Jaap van Dorp.
Photo by Crystal van Dorp via Jaap van Dorp.
Photo by Crystal van Dorp via Jaap van Dorp.
136660 (Forward Fuselage only) - This
is an interesting find of the fuselage of S2F-1 136660. It was sent
in by Aaron Murphy, who photographed it at the Zero Fighter Museum in Kawaguchiko, Japan. Aaron
has contacted several persons who are more familiar with the history of Japanese
Trackers than myself. The consensus is that this is Grumman Serial Number
569 (136660). This can be seen in the photo of the data plate below.
Interestingly enough, records show that SN 569 (136660) was given an American
registration number of N215AK in 1978. It appears the owner took out
N215AK to confirm ownership so he could strip the Tracker for spare parts which
was completed in 1979. The fuselage shown below was then left in Japan.
We want to thank Aaron for allowing us to use his
photos, and providing historical details on what's left of Tracker 136660.
DDJ 8-20-2018.
For those familiar with the numbering of
Japanese Trackers, the nose number of 11 corresponds to Grumman Serial number
569, and Bureau Number 136660. Photo courtesy of Aaron Murphy.
Photo courtesy of Aaron Murphy.
Aaron did a great job of photographing the data
plate on the instrument panel, through the Plexiglas side window, with all of the
resulting reflections. He was able to get enough information to
identify the aircraft. Photo courtesy of Aaron Murphy.
136398 -
This US-2B has been for sale since 2009 at the Mohave Airport, CA. It was
purchased by Erik Anderson in July 2018. Mr. Anderson is in the process of
making the aircraft airworthy and is planning to obtain flight training for
himself and his Chief Pilot. It is great to see that his Tracker is now
going back into flying status. Hopefully, it will participate in local airshows so the public can see it fly. See my
USA Tracker Page for more details. DDJ 8-18-2018
Below is a photo of 136398 that I took when I
visited it in May 2009.
151664 - Tracker 151664 is located at the
former NAS Floyd Bennett Hangar B in Brooklyn, NY at the Historic Aircraft
Restoration Project (H.A.R.P.). 151664 is in pretty sad shape. It was
apparently damaged in transit from the Cradle of Aviation Museum, which didn't
want it. The Tracker forlornly sits along a wall with a huge storage box
in front of it, somewhat blocking it from public view. The right wing is
not attached and is located in another part of the hangar. The mechanics
in the hangar told me that there is ten years' worth of work on the PBY before
they could even think about starting on it. H.A.R.P. seems to be a well-intentioned group, but is extremely underfunded and understaffed. The roof
leaks, and the hangar is in the same condition it was in 1972 when the Navy left.
In spite of the handicaps the organization faces, it has about a dozen very
well restored aircraft, engines and vehicles on display. Hopefully, some
volunteers will take an interest in 151664 and start her restoration. All
of the photos below of 151664 were taken by the author on May 31, 2018. DDJ 6-23-2018
The port wing is still on the aircraft and it still
has the rocket rails attached.
The cowling is off both engines, the flaps are
hanging down on the port wing, and the rudder is off the aircraft.
The sonobuoy tubes are still present in both engine
nacelles.
The end of the MAD boom is missing, allowing for
inspection of the detection device in the boom.
The flight deck has been gutted of all of the
instruments and controls and serves as storage for many of the missing cowlings off of
the aircraft.
There are more sheet metal panels stored in the
radio compartment.
The starboard outboard wing panel is not attached to
the aircraft.
The starboard outboard wing panel. I do not
remember seeing the rudder anywhere in the building. In the background is
the nicely restored A-4 Skyhawk.
Several more of the H.A.R.P. restorations are on
display.
The PBY Catalina is the current restoration
project of the group.
The photo shows the north side of the former NAS
Bennett Field Hangar B. This is one of the larger hangars I have been in.
Today the field is no longer an active airport. The National Park Service
now owns the land and former hangars. It will be interesting to see
whether preservation of this hangar and others on the other side of the field
will continue, or eventually succumb to redevelopment like so many
other former military bases have.
C-1A 136763, C-1A 146025, C-1A 146028, C-1A 146031 -
On 4-16-2018 these Traders were seen loaded on
semi-trailers outside of United Aeronautical Corporation's Tucson, AZ
facility waiting to be shipped to Marsh Aviation's rebuild facility in Mesa, AZ.
Marsh has been working on converting C-1A Traders into Carrier-on-Board
Delivery/Air-to-Air Refueling (COD/AAR) KC-2 Turbo Traders for the Brazilian
Navy since 2011. Information courtesy of Steve Williams.
For more information and photos on the Brazilian
Traders, see my Brazil Trader page.
2017 S2F, C-1 and
EB-1 Current Events:
The sad end of C-1A 146502:
I
want to thank John Parr from Houston, TX for providing the photos of C-1A
146502 that he took at an antique festival.
The owner of C-1A 146502 contacted me in June 2018
to provide more information on this former Trader. As noted below, this
Trader was severely damaged in 2008's Hurricane Ike flooding
while at the Lone Star Museum in Galveston, TX. The museum has now moved
to Houston, TX, to avoid a repeat of another hurricane along the Texas coast
destroying its aircraft. The Lone Star Museum attempted to move
this to its new location in Houston, TX. However, the cost of
transportation was excessive. It was offered to other museums, but none
were interested. Instead of being scrapped, the fuselage was purchased by
the current owner and is now a storage trailer for his art that he sells around
the country. One of the engines went to a Texas Museum to be mounted on
static T-28 restoration, and the remaining usable parts went to another Trader
that is currently flying. It was the best of a bad situation. Thank
you to Jason Barnett for the update. DDJ 6-23-2018
C-1A 146502 belonged to the Lone Star Flight
Museum in Galveston, TX, but went under water during Hurricane Ike in September
2008. The airframe was considered a total loss by the museum.
It would appear that the museum sold the aircraft. When I first saw this photo,
I thought, because of the paint job, John had sent me a photo of a C-47 painted
in D-Day markings. It appears that now 146502, minus wings and engines, is displayed at festivals and other such events. What a
sad end to a great aircraft. Note there is a ramp on the top of the fuselage to
the tail section. The Navy Bureau number 146052 is prominently displayed.
Photo courtesy of John Parr.
The data plate is still on the airframe. Photo
courtesy of John Parr.
The Lone Star Museum Flight Museum opened a new
facility in Houston in 2017 to no longer be in the path of hurricanes, as it was
in Galveston. Apparently, the Trader was not considered good enough to be
part of the new museum. The museum let a rare aircraft become a carny
display because it did not want to spend the time and effort to restore it to a
first-class static display. Photo courtesy of John Parr.
Photo courtesy of John Parr.
See my
Trader Photo page
for my photos of 146502 when I visited the Lone Star Museum in 2009 at its
former Galveston, TX location.
147217 -
The day after photographing the Tracker in New York I was at the New England
Air Museum, Windsor Locks, CT where I photographed this Tracer on
display. Photos taken August 12, 2017.
133264 -
This Tracker was previously on display at the USS Intrepid Museum in New York
City. It was transferred to its present location at the Empire State Aerosciences
Museum, Glenville, NY when the Intrepid had to make room for the Concorde
display. The museum is located on the west side of the Schenectady County
Airport. I visited the museum on August 11, 2017.
136573 - I was able to photograph
this Tracker on July 6, 2017. It was located at the State Technical
College of Missouri in Linn, MO. The aircraft was moved sometime prior
to September 2015. It is being used as a teaching aid, but the FAA registry
still shows the owner as Wes Stricker of Rolla, MO. DDJ 7-10-2017
There is damage to the left wing tip and aileron.
Both flaps on the aircraft had been removed.
Work has started to repair the hole in the fuselage.
152800, 152805, 152809, 162811, 162816, 152837,
153566, 153576, 163578, 153598, and 153604:
These Trackers were previously in Australia, and
were purchased in 2016 by United Aeronautical Corporation of Hollywood (UAC),
CA, USA. The airframes were purchased to provide UAC with more spare
parts, especially landing gears, for the Trackers that are still operating
worldwide. As of September 2016, 152816, 153566, 153598, 153604 were
already on site at Tucson, AZ. This particular purchase has been in the
works since 2013. Not only did UAC have to negotiate the purchase of the
airframes in Australia, but it also then needed to get approval from the US Department of
Defense to bring them back into the United States. A little known fact is
that this little and ungainly looking aircraft carried nuclear weapons during
its military life with the US Navy.
Thank you to Steve Williamson for providing this website with information on
this sale. DDJ 5-3-2017
136726:
This Tracker, previously unidentified by this website, was listed for sale by
Sky4Buy in April 2015 for $2,500. More than likely, it did not sell, and was
scrapped out in 2015. DDJ 1-8-2017
2016 Tracker Photos:
RCN 1545:
This is on display at the RCAF Air Museum in Trenton, ONT
and was supposed to be under restoration. Obviously, that has not
happened. Most likely it lost out in restoration priority to the Halifax
now on display inside the museum. DDJ
6-24-2016
149240: This is located at the Patuxent
River Naval Air Museum and was accepted by the US Navy on March
10, 1962. After serving with the fleet, it joined the Naval Research
Laboratories in December 1969. While there, it performed meteorological and
oceanographic research missions, along with tactical missions with chaff and sonobuoys. Its last flight was to the Museum in February 1981.
Author's Photo.
Author's Photo.
Author's Photo.
Guest Photos by
Ertugrul Birel: One of the few
Grumman Trackers still operating in 2016 is 149850, which is owned by Turkish
Aerospace Industries (TAI) and utilized as a test platform for new avionic
equipment.
Guest Photos by
Ozcan
Ertem:
Photo of 149263 inside the main gate at Cengiz
Topel Naval Air Station at Izmit, Turkey. Photo courtesy of Ozcan
Ertem.
149849: Located at the
Eskisehir Air Museum.
Photo of 149849 at the Eskisehir Air Museum, Turkey. Photo courtesy of Ozcan
Ertem.
149887: Located at the Kocaeli University Campus in Kocaeli.
Photo of 149887 at the Kocaeli University Campus in
Kocaeli. Photo courtesy of Ozcan Ertem.
Photo of 149887 on the aircraft. Photo
courtesy of Ozcan Ertem.
151663: Located at the Air Force
Museum at the Ankara Etimesgut Airport.
151668: Located at the Kayseri Airport.
151668 sits in the middle of a boulevard.
Photo courtesy of Ozcan Ertem.
Photo of 151668 on the aircraft. Photo courtesy of Ozcan Ertem.
After more investigation,
the following S2F Trackers are also on display in Turkey.
147644: Located at
the Naval Base in Golcuk.
Photo courtesy of Ozcan Ertem.
151679: Located at the Eskisehir Airport as part of the Anadolu
University there.
Photo of 151679 in the scrap yard at the Eskisehir
Airport. Photo courtesy of Ozcan Ertem.
149850: On
9-8-2014 Ozcan Ertem provided an update and photo of 148850. The aircraft
was re-registered TC-STF, since all Turkish aircraft are assigned letter
registrations. Obviously, STF is short for "Stoof", made at the suggestion
of Ozcan when the change had to be made.
Photo of 149850. Photo courtesy of Ozcan Ertem.
Previous years' photos can
be seen on the
Archived Tracker Update page.
Remember:
Support your local S2F Tracker, Warbird Museums, and Warbird Air Shows!
Original publication date: 11-24-2006
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