History

The C-1A "Trader" was developed from the S-2F "Tracker", the highly successful twin engined, carrier based anti-submarine warfare aircraft developed and built by Grumman Aircraft Corporation of Long Island, N.Y. The first Grumman "Tracker" flew in December 1952. Some are thought to be still in military service with foreign nations.

The C-1A was designed to carry nine passengers and cargo from ship to shore, or vice versa. The most obvious differences to those familiar with the S-2F "Tracker" are the enlarged fuselage with its port side main cabin and cargo doors, and the faired over trailing edges of the engine nacelles. The first C-1A flew in January 1955, and the last of the 87 built was delivered in December 1958.

The C-1A in the DVHAA collection was the 64th of those 87 built. It is Bureau number (serial#) 146034. It was last flown in March 1987, and placed on permanent display near the northeast corner of the base the following month. #146034 accumulated 15,502 hours of flight time, making a total of 2439 arrested landings and 714 catapult assisted launches from aircraft carriers.

#146034 was operated by a number of squadrons and ships, including VR-24 from NAF Sigonella, Italy, VRC-40 from NAS Norfolk, VA. It's last assignment was aboard the USS Independence. The aircraft was one of three C-1A's operated from NAS Willow Grove by the Independence's COD Crew while that ship was receiving its last major overhaul at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyards. The other two sister ships (Bu#146044 & Bu#146048) are still flying in private hands today.

Images

Aircraft Specific Links:

• Grumman S-2 Tracker homepage
• Aeroweb C-1A page