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Grumman S2F-1 Tracker “おおたか” (Otaka)
The Grumman S2F-1 Tracker was an anti-submarine aircraft that was used by the JMSDF. She served from April 1957 to 30 March 1983, when the last aircraft were withdrawn. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces purchased 60 S2F-1 aircraft from the USA, of which 8 aircraft were lost due to accidents. During JMSDF service, the S2F-1 aircraft were given the nickname “おおたか” (Otaka).
History
The Japanese Self-Defense Forces purchased Grumman S2F-1 aircraft to replace obsolete TBM aircraft. In June 1956, a part of the future S2F-1 aircraft was selected, which was assigned to the TBM crews. In August of the same year, these personnel aboard the aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CV-37) to North Island Naval Air Base. During the journey, the crews immediately began training in the operation of Grumman S2F-1 aircraft, which was continued after reaching their destination.After training, the crews returned to Japan, where the first two Grumman S2F-1 aircraft arrived on April 8, 1957. On April 25, 1957, these planes were presented to the public, where, despite the rain, a lot of curious people showed up who wanted to see the new planes.
Press information about the S2F-1 aircraft^
S2F-2 aircraft were delivered to the 6th Squadron of the Kanoya Air Corps from 1 May 1957. In April 1958, Kanoya Air Corps 6 Squadron was reorganized into No. 21 Squadron and moved to Tokushima. Grumman S2F-1 aircraft, together with Lockheed P-2 Neptune and Sikorsky S-58 helicopters, were directed to anti-submarine warfare in an optimized way, P-2 aircraft were to operate on the high seas, S2F-1 aircraft closer to the shores of the Japanese islands, and S-58 helicopters were to secure strategically key places such as ports or shipping routes. On June 20, 1959, the last 60 S2F-1 aircraft was sent to Japan, which allowed 4 anti-submarine squadrons to operate, and they were deployed in addition to Tokushima Air Base, Hachinohe Air Base, Shimoso Air Base. On June 20, 1959, the last 60 S2F-1 aircraft was sent to Japan, which allowed 4 anti-submarine squadrons to operate, and they were deployed in addition to Tokushima Air Base, Hachinohe Air Base, Shimoso Air Base. In 1962, during maintenance work, it became clear that all S2F-1 aircraft would have to be withdrawn by 1970 so as not to endanger the crews. On June 20, 1959, the last 60 S2F-1 aircraft was sent to Japan, which allowed 4 anti-submarine squadrons to operate, and they were deployed in addition to Tokushima Air Base, Hachinohe Air Base, Shimoso Air Base. In 1962, during maintenance work, it became clear that all S2F-1 aircraft would have to be withdrawn by 1970 so as not to endanger the crews. From 1962, accidents related to the S2F-1 aircraft began, in which 8 aircraft were lost and 23 crew members died. Due to the increase in the number of accidents, explantation costs and wear and tear of aircraft, it was decided that the planes should be withdrawn by 1980. The last S2F-1 aircraft were withdrawn on March 30, 1983.
Construction description
The Grumman S2F-1 is a high-wing aircraft in a classic layout. It is powered by two Wright R-1820-82WA engines in nacelles that drive three-bladed propellers. Under each wing there are three hard points that allow the installation of bombs, rockets, torpedoes or depth charges. At the back of the nacelle, there are eight sonar buoys hidden. The fuselage is short and thick, and a magnetic field detector protrudes from the tail. Z On the bottom of the fuselage is mounted an APS-38 retractable surface radar. The aircraft is equipped with a bomb bay in which additional bombs, torpedoes or depth charges can be carried. On top of the fuselage, above the cockpit, there is an APA 69 electronic warfare system. On the right wing there is a searchlight.
Construction details
Cockpit Photos
Armament
The Grumman S2F-1 does not have fixed armament, only suspended armament. The aircraft can be equipped with 127mm HARV rockets. In the fuselage and under the wings, Mk.34 Torpedoes, Mk.44 Torpedoes, or Mk.46 Torpedoes torpedoes can be carried on hard points. The aircraft can carry 250 lb bombs or 500 lb bombs. The main purpose of the aircraft is anti-submarine, so it can carry depth charges of various types.
Photos of the S2F-2 aircraft's armament
General characteristics
- Crew: 4
- Length: 12.88 m
- Wingspan: 21.23 m
- Height: 4.97 m
- Wing area: 45.06 m2
- Empty weight: 7,873 kg
- Gross weight: 10,646 kg
- Powerplant: 2 x Wright R-1820-82WA, take-off power 1525 hp
Performance
- Maximum speed: 438 km/h
- Cruise speed: 241 km/h
- Range: 1,556 km
- Service Ceiling: 6,949 m
- Climb Rate: 11.8 m/s
Armament
- 2,200 kg of payload could be carried in the internal bomb bay and on 6× under-wing hardpoints:
- 1x Mk.34 Torpedo
- 6x Mk.44 Torpedoes
- 2x Mk.46 Torpedoes
- 1x Mk.25 1850 lb naval mine
- 1x Mk.36 1000 lb naval mine
- 1x Mk.52 1000 lb naval mine
- 1x Mk.55 2000 lb naval mine
- 10x AN-M56 250 lb bombs
- 2x AN-M64 500 lb bombs (?)
- 1x Mk.82 500 lb bomb (?)
- 5x Type 67 150 kg depth charge
- 6x 127mm HVAR rockets
Additional equipment
- AN/APS-38 surface radar (Slides out from the bottom of the fuselage)
- AN/APA 69 electronic warfare system (above the cockpit)
- 16 x SSQ-2 sonar buoys
- Magnetic detector (tail) AN/ASQ-8MAD
Summary
The Grumman S2F-1 would be a very interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This would be a very useful support aircraft that would provide the needed CAS support for Japan. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this topic.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
S-2 (航空機) - Wikipedia
Grumman S-2 Tracker - Wikipedia
Grumman S2F-1 Tracker - Passed for Consideration - War Thunder - Official Forum
グラマンS2F-1/-U/-Cトラッカー『あおたか』 (fc2.com)
S2F-1 対潜哨戒機 (rightwing.sakura.ne.jp)
Уголок неба ¦ Grumman S-2 Tracker (airwar.ru)
Grumman CP-121 Tracker | Canada Aviation and Space Museum (ingeniumcanada.org)
Grumman S-2A Tracker : Grumman (valka.cz)
Aircraft: Grumman S2F-1 (S-2A) Tracker (aero-web.org)
Grumman S-2 Tracker (s2tracker.com)
グラマンS2F-1海上自衛隊 (hikokikumo.net)
Grumman S-2 Tracker (S2F) Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Aircraft (militaryfactory.com)
Grumman US-2A Tracker (combatairmuseum.org)
Grumman S-2 Tracker - Price, Specs, Photo Gallery, History - Aero Corner
Book sources
- Squadron Signal - Aircraft - in Action - 1100 - Grumman S2F Tracker in Action
Squadron Signal - Aircraft - in Action - 1100 - Grumman S2F Tracker in Action | PDF (scribd.com)