Grumman S2F Tracker: Warpaint #76 softcover
Grumman S2F Tracker, TF-1 Trader and WF-2 Tracer: Warpaint #76 softcover
The emergence of the aircraft carrier after the Second World War as the key fleet unit dictated different methods on how to conduct naval air warfare. The experience gained by the US Navy in the Pacific designated the way how future carrier task forces were to be supported by dedicated anti-submarine warfare aircraft, airborne early warning platforms and effective shore-to-ship aerial communication facilities. Grumman, a traditional supplier of naval aircraft, was quick to respond to this fresh way of thinking, and developed a successful line of three shipboard, twin-engined, unpretentious-looking aircraft. In 1952 the prototype of the S2F Tracker made its first flight for the US Navy, solving once and for all the long-standing problem of uniting in one airframe the 'hunter' and 'killer' pair of anti-submarine aircraft.
The Tracker went on to become the leading anti-submarine aircraft of its time in the world, serving with numerous air forces and navies well into the 1980s, and indeed some are known to be still in service in Taiwan's navy. From it was developed in 1955 the TF-1 Trader, with a chubbier fuselage to enable it carry out its role of Carrier On-board Delivery, thus facilitating and standardising ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship communications in the US Navy.
The awareness of airborne early warning in the late 1950s gave birth to another variation on the same theme, so that close on the Trader's heels came the WF-2 Tracer, using the deeper fuselage to contain its sophisticated equipment. Its most distinguishing feature, which at the time presented a strange sight, was the large oval 'saucer' fixed atop its fuselage to contain the enormous radar antenna, a rather common and accepted solution these days.
Among them these three Grumman products gave the US Navy the lead over all other navies in terms of flexibility, fleet protection and battle management which today's modern navies have taken for granted. The effectiveness of these three aircraft, and later by their successors, was proved time and again during the various conflicts in which the United States has been involved since the Vietnam War.
Published 2016, 60 pages, black & white and colour photographs, 26 colour profiles, 1:72 scale line drawing plans, production and unit lists, model kit decal and accessory list, softcover, A4 Format, 21 cm (8 1/4”) x 29.7 cm (11 3/4 “)
Warpaint Series
Designed with both the aircraft enthusiast and the model maker in mind, the publishers of the Warpaint series try to establish as near as possible a comprehensive and accurate account of a single aircraft type within one set of covers. Each book sets standards in the quality of the history and the accuracy of the drawings both in colour, side and plan view and the 1:72nd scale plans that appear in each one.
Aircraft titles range from World War 2 to the post war period, and include a majority of RAF and Fleet Air Arm aircraft but also feature many USAAF, USAF, US Navy and Luftwaffe machines. Variety is the keyword in the attempt to satisfy as many specialist interest groups as possible during the year. Few contemporary aircraft are featured as an attempt is made to write and illustrate the definitive history of the aircraft involved, although it is appreciated that in some cases there might be a few still flying in non-operational roles.
The publishers employ authors who have established reputations in aircraft historical journalism where their own notes and files can produce facts and data that may, in many cases, not have been published hitherto. Artists used for the illustrations are also well-established in their field and very knowledgeable on camouflage colours and the use of computer generated art work which adds so much to the completeness of the finished book.
Warpaint books on aircraft set the standards that others would like to follow...
-Complete and detailed history
-1:72nd scale plan line drawings
-In detail photographs
-Kit, decal and accessory list
-Pages of superb colour profiles, black & white and colour photography
-Complete production list
-Squadrons, units and individual aircraft serials and codes
-Comprehensive specifications
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