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Welcome
to the Surviving Grumman S2F / S-2 Tracker
Information Repository which will keep an update on the Grumman Tracker Series of
aircraft that still exist, which includes the S2F (S-two-f or Stoof) and CS2F
Tracker, the TF-1 / C-1A Trader and WF-2 / E-1B Tracer.

136427 making a low, hook-down pass
at Anderson, IN
New Page Added 6-23-2009 -
Cal Fire Turbo Tracker Photo Page
New Page Added 6-12-2009 - Marsh Aviation Trackers
Photo Page
New Page Added 6-12-2009 - Trader Photo Page
New Page Added 6-12-2009 - Tracer Photo Page
New Page Added 2-15-2009 -
Cal Fire (CDF) S-2T listings
New Page Added 2-24-2009 - Uruguay Trackers
June 2009 update:
In May I took a two week trip from Indiana to California with the primary
reason for the visit to attend the Chino Air Show. In the process I was
able to take photos of Trackers, Traders, and Tracers all the way out and back.
This includes all (14) Trackers at Marsh Aviation in Mesa, AZ, probably two
thirds of the Cal Fire Fleet in California, and others on my route of travel
located at museums and airports along the way. Due to the surge in photos
I have separated out into individual photo pages the Trackers, Traders and
Tracers. When complete I will also add unique photo pages for Cal Fire and
Marsh Trackers.
David D Jackson - June 9, 2009
June 12 update: I have now added a
photo page for the (14) S2F Trackers in the storage yard at Marsh Aviation in
Mesa, AZ. During the photo editing I "discovered" one Tracker that I had
not yet included in my data base. This aircraft, 147531, is not registered
with the FAA even though it has an N number on it and no one has ever to my
knowledge published a photo of it on the web. Also it appears I have the
only web published current photo of 136729. A complete photo essay of the
Marsh Yard can be seen at:
My Marsh Photos
June 23 update: I have now completed the Cal
Fire Photo page. Of the (23) Turbo Trackers that Cal Fire operates I was
able to take photos of (19) of them. Several are in the maintenance hangar
as the aircraft were still getting the annuals completed. In total during
the trip I photographed the (19) Cal Fire Trackers, (14) Trackers at Marsh
Aviation, ( 11) Trackers on display in (3) states, (4) Traders in (2) states,
and one Tracer. Fifty-three total in 16 days of travel. See my Cal
Fire Photo page at:
Cal Fire
Turbo Tracker Photo Page
David D Jackson - June 23, 2009
Introduction:
Unfortunately, very few of these hardworking and
venerable aircraft are still around today. Even fewer are still flying at
air shows or can be seen 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 on these venerable aircraft.
This has been and continues to be any interesting
task, due to the fact that I do not know what the final number of Trackers and
its derivatives are that still exist throughout the world. I am
continually updating the site as I discover new information and aircraft.
Also, due to the manner in which I have organized the data, many of the aircraft
that are registered in the US are not really flyable aircraft and are now static
displays in museums or being used as spare parts.
David D Jackson
2009 Scheduled S2F Tracker Air Show Appearances:
June 6-7 - Trader 136778 at Indianapolis Air
Show - Did not attend due to mechanical issues.
Definitions:
Registered - These are aircraft that are have been 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 flying by the 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 class as the Boeing
B-52 for longevity in a country's national defense. This is
outstanding!
Museum - These are aircraft are no longer registered or in active
military service that are currently on display in a museum, or some other
location. They can be either be inside or outside, or as in one case,
located outside at that the entrance to an international airport.
Storage - These are aircraft that do not fit in any of the above
classifications, are still sitting on the landing gear and still look to be
a whole airframe. Engines do not need to be on as they the first items
to be used of 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 a 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 and
others. |
|
Country |
Registered |
Military |
Museum |
Storage |
Total |
|
Argentina |
0 |
5 |
1 |
? |
6 |
|
Australia |
1 |
0 |
3 |
14 |
18 |
|
Brazil |
0 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|
Canada |
17 |
0 |
12 |
19 |
48 |
|
France |
8 |
0 |
0 |
? |
8 |
|
Italy |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Japan |
0 |
0 |
1 |
? |
1 |
|
Netherlands |
0 |
0 |
4 |
? |
4 |
|
South Korea |
0 |
0 |
8 |
? |
8 |
|
Taiwan |
0 |
27 |
4 |
? |
31 |
|
Thailand |
0 |
6 |
1 |
? |
6 |
|
Turkey |
0 |
0 |
1 |
? |
1 |
|
Uruguay |
0 |
0 |
2 |
? |
2 |
| USA |
62 |
0 |
13 |
13 |
88 |
|
Total |
89 |
38 |
58 |
49 |
232 |
| World Wide
Location of TF-1/C-1A Traders |
|
Country |
Registered |
Military |
Museum |
Storage |
Total |
| USA |
12 |
0 |
6 |
16 |
34 |
| World Wide
Location of WF-2/E-1B Tracers |
|
Country |
Registered |
Military |
Museum |
Storage |
Total |
| USA |
0 |
0 |
5 |
? |
5 |
2009 S2F and C-1 Events:
136427:
Engines ran after winter maintenance on June 13,
2009. Information provided by Joe Person of Bothell, WA.
136766:
For Sale in an Estate Auction on May 30, 2009.
See my Trader page for more information.
136773: For Sale in an Estate
Auction on May 30, 2009. See my Trader page for more information.
2008 S2F and C-1 Events:
136778: The C-1A
departed Waukegan, IL airport for a ferry flight to
Trudeau Warbird Enterprises in Punta Gorda, FL for
an annual on December 7, 2008.
147641: This Tracker continued with engine runs and wing folds
several times in 2008, with some at night. See our Netherlands Tracker
page for more.
152333: This S-2G apparently is being prepared for flight and ran
taxi tests at the HMAS
Albatross 60th Anniversary Air Show in New South Wales in October. See our
Australian Tracker page for video and photos.
136778: This C-1A has
been purchased by Daniel H. Serrato of Eufaula, AL in October.
136427:
Tracker has changed ownership and is now owned by
the Air Station Museum in Arlington, WA.
136431: This S2F-1, owned
and operated by The Cavanaugh Flight Museum
is now available for airshows. As of
January it is being promoted on Warbird Depot.
136778: This Trader
continues to be for sale for $75,000 through Courtesy Aircraft. It is part
of an estate sale.
2007 S2F and C-1 Events:
136781:
This C-1A is
back on the airshow circuit after a six year
restoration.
147641: On July 7, 2007 this Tracker arrived at The
Aviodrome at Lelystad Airport by boat from its previous KLM location and
is now owned by the Technical Aviation School in Hoofddorp. Since that
time this aircraft has been able to run engines and fold the wings for
spectators on a regular basis. See our Netherlands Tracker page for video
of this run along with still photos.
136404: Destroyed in a crash
at Cherry Point MCAS on 5-03-2007. No fatalities.
More: Go to my: Tracker Down Special Web Page
136778: This Trader
up for sale for $99,000 through Courtesy Aircraft. Price later reduced to
$75,000
2006 S2F Events:
133090: As of 9-22-2006 ownership
transferred from CDF to Columbia Airport, CA.
133244: This aircraft has been acquired by the Pacific Coast Air
Museum in Santa Rosa, CA. and made its last flight to the Museum on November 9,
2006.
133322: As of 4-05-2006
ownership transferred to Christopher Schneider from the CDF.
133251: As of 8-14-2006
ownership transferred to Aerospace Museum of California from the CDF.
136398: Sale Reported. For Sale in Trade-A-Plane for $79,000.
136479: As of 9-05-2006 ownership
transferred to Christopher Schneider from the CDF.
136534: As of 12-2006 the aircraft's registration may not allow for
operation.
136619: As of 12-2006 the aircraft's registration may not allow for
operation.
152812: As of 6-2006 ownership transferred from Quantas to HARS for
rebuild to flyable aircraft.
2006 C-1 Events:
136778: There was an
attempted sale of this Trader through Courtesy Aircraft.
Does anyone know the fate of 147643?:
I have received an inquiry from the son of Mr. Van Eijck wanting to know what had
happened to the Tracker, 147643, his father hijacked in 1964. The Dutch
did get it back from Libya as Mr. Van Eijck returned after one year in Libya
after agreeing to come home and spend a year in prison. 147643 was
then returned it to the US Navy in 1974. The assumption is that it was
scrapped as so far it has not turned up in my searches for those currently still
in existence.

The Tracker coming home. Mr. Van Eijck was in
training to become a pilot when he was demoted to enlisted rank after making his
not so kind feelings about the Dutch Navy known to the wrong person. He
asked to be let go but was not because of his enlistment contract. In one
of those moments were "it sounded like a good idea at the time", he hijacked the
plane to show everyone he could fly it and also get away from the Dutch Navy.
After a year in Libya he wanted to return home and cut a deal to return the
Tracker and also spend one year in prison.
Remember:
Support your local S2F Tracker, Warbird Museums, and Warbird Air Shows!
This site last updated 6-28-2009.
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