Grumman S-2G Tracker | HARS Tracker Aircraft

Warbirds Online recently revisited the HARS Aviation Museum at Albion Park NSW to view the newly arrived aircraft from the Royal Australian Navy Historic Flight after they were gifted to HARS. Of particular interest on the day of our visit were the Grumman S-2G Trackers, two of which have now joined the original HARS resident which was S-2G N12-152812 Construction Number 281C RAN Number 851 Ex-USN Bu 152812 which has been under restoration at HARS since its arrival in 2006.

The two newly arrived aircraft are the airworthy S-2G N12-152333 Construction number 220C RAN Number 844 Ex-USN Bu 152333. This was the aircraft which formally flew with the RANHF at many air displays back in the 1980s. The other aircraft from the RANHF collection is S-2G N12-152334 Construction Number 221C RAN Number 845 Ex-USN Bu 152334. This aircraft is a static example.

Grumman Tracker RAN No 544 is likely to remain airworthy in the HARS fleet and resume its long dormant Warbird career. This aircraft was flown into HARS and is undergoing routine maintenance. This Tracker served with the RAN from 6th of April 1977 until retired in 1984 and then joined the RANHF in 1985 until it was officially grounded in 2014 although it had not actually flown for some years. Previously the aircraft had served with the US Navy on a number of ships including the USS Bennington with which it visited Australia in 1967. It also saw service with the USN Naval Research laboratory.

The other recently acquired Tracker S-2G N12-152334 Construction Number 221C RAN Number 845 Ex-USN Bu 152334 has long been in storage at Nowra and is in good static restorable condition.  It made its way to Albion Park recently from Nowra NSW on the back of a truck. The intention is to restore the aircraft to excellent museum display standard. This Tracker was again one of the 16 G models purchased in the USA from Ex USN stocks held in the Mojave Desert and refurbished prior to being delivered to Australia in 1977 on the HMAS Melbourne.  The aircraft had previously served on several USN Carriers including the USS Kittyhawk. It retired from the RAN in 1984 and was stored prior to sale at auction for $200 to save it from scrapping and was stored off base at Nowra.

The original HARS Tracker was S-2G N12-152812 Construction Number 281C RAN Number 851 Ex-USN Bu 152812 was again one of the batch of 16 S-2G imported from the USA in 1977. The aircraft was withdrawn in 1984 and eventually after prolonged storage it was sold to QANTAS at Mascot and used as a training aid and in 2006 it was sold on to HARS and transported to Albion Park where a plan was put in place to restore it to flying condition and this continued until recently. It is unknown if the aircraft will continue to be brought to airworthy status of be used to support 844 in the air. In any case, it will continue in the HARS collection and appears to be immaculate – a real credit to the fantastic efforts of the crew overseeing her. HARS were also gifted a large collection of spare parts which should greatly assist in keeping a Tracker flying for a long time to come.

The Grumman S-2 Tracker (S2F prior to 1962) was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft to enter service, in Australian service they replaced the Fairey Gannet. 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. Australia ordered 14 Tracker S-2As and they were delivered in 1967 and served at Nowra and aboard the HMAS Melbourne.

A Dark time in Australian Naval Aviation History

On December 4th 1976 a hangar fire broke out at HMAS Albatross and 6 Grumman S-2A trackers were destroyed completely and 3 damaged beyond repair. This was the reason that the 16 S-2Gs were acquired from the USA stored aircraft. The fire was later proven to have been deliberately lit by a mentally disturbed RAN sailor.

HARS has a great collection of 3 Grumman S-2G Trackers. A very practical and aggressive Warbird and HARS has been presented with a great opportunity to keep at least one of these aircraft airworthy into the future. We cannot wait to witness one of these in the air again at Airshows across the country.

© John Parker 2020