S-2 Tracker Trader Tracer Illustrated Kindle Edition

“Stoof” is not an especially desirable name for your aircraft, since it seems to denote something less than stellar performance. But it did become the declared alliteration of a very capable sub hunter for a generation of Naval Aviators. Officially, the “S-2F Tracker”, the “Stoof” manned the anti-submarine ramparts through 22 years of the Cold War while the Soviet Union continued to improve and build their submarine fleet. The S-2 was the tip of the spear for a new generation of anti-submarine carriers. Though conceived in an age of rapid technological advances, its straightforward design resulted in reliability that made it the last piston-powered aircraft on American carrier decks. The basic design was adapted for a pair of additional missions. As a utilitarian, it became the C-1 “Trader” carrier onboard delivery (COD) vehicle. As a fleet early warning platform, it became the S-2 “Tracer”, and thereby becoming the “Stoof With A Roof”, so-named because of the huge radar dish it carried. It served in the military of thirteen different nations, and when it’s military career was over, it continued in civil missions for four different nations. That long military/civilian career resulted in a variety of configurations and markings. The design of the Tracker/Trader and its robust airframe led to a career as an aerial firefighter, and included an engine upgrade to turboprop engines. It was one of the great product to come out of the Grumman “Ironworks”. All versions of the basic desingn are included herein, following the "Illustrated" format of color photos, line drawings, and descriptive illustrations from the flight manual. Read more