Designed and initially built by Grumman, the Tracker was of conventional design — propeller-driven with twin radial engines, a high wing that could be folded for storage on aircraft carriers, and tricycle undercarriage. The type was exported to a number of navies around the world. Introduced in 1952, the Tracker and its E-1 Tracer derivative saw service in the U.S. Navy until the mid-1970s. Grumman produced 1,185 Trackers. At least 99 and possibly 100 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, Turkey and Taiwan. The Royal Australian Navy operated Grumman S-2 Tracker anti-submarine warfare aircraft from 1967 to 1984. The type flew from the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne and shore bases. A total of 32 Trackers were purchased in two batches which were delivered in 1967 and 1977. For more details of the type, click here. For information on its Australian service, click here. Specifications below are for the S-2F model.
