Carrier-Based Historic Anti-Submarine Aircraft : Grumman S-2 Tracker

This video documents the full operation sequence of an ex-Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Grumman S-2G Tracker, N12-152333 or Tracker 844, from the ground perspective. It covers towing, engine start, control surface check, torpedo bay check, wing unfolding, engine run-up, takeoff, wing folding, engine shutdown, and post-flight inspection. This aircraft is well maintained by the engineers and volunteers at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) Aviation Museum, located in Shellharbour Airport, Albion Park, NSW, Australia, approximately 100 km south of Sydney. The Grumman S-2 Tracker (S2F prior to 1962) was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft to enter service with the United States Navy. The total production number stands as 1284. Aircraft Brief HIstory - Tracker 844 was delivered to the RAN in April 1977 and was used onboard aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. This submarine hunter served with the RAN until August 1984 when it was looked after, and flown by, the RAN Historic Flight. The aircraft was acquired by HARS in December 2018 and it is still airworthy.