Grumman S2-G Tracker taxi run at HMAS Albatross Nowra RANHF

[@Swampfox612]

I grew up watching and hearing the "Stoofs" at just about ever US Naval Air station during my childhood in the late 1960s-early 1970s. I loved how sturdy and they looked, and I loved the crackly-rumbly sound of those radials as they flew overhead. I'd buy one and learn to fly it if I could. One of my favorite aircraft of any era.

[@homebrewer7]

I was a radio operator on a little lager Grumman. The SA-16A and B 1955-56. Goose Bay, Labrador. I loved that Aircraft.

[@chartphred1]

I used to hang out of my donga window photographing the Trackers when they were flying at Albatross. Loved the sound of them

[@mazdarx7887]

Sweet, jesus, how many times did I do run-up on those trackers in Summerside . Music to my ears. Nothing feels better than double engine full power (53 inches)run-ups with only a pair of chocks and your breaks holding you back

[@MrBadgerFan]

I was a plane captain and avionics tech in VS-30 at NAS Quonset Point, RI from '71-73. Loved these aircraft, though changing out a radar transmitter and antenna out of the "hell hole" was a real bitch! Loved the sound of the big radial engines, very unique sound.

[@robnieuwenhoven4618]

How awesome to see this running again! It'll be great to see it, the Neptune and (hopefully soon) AP-3C in the air together!

[@cobraxspeed]

Just fantastic.....Thanks for posting, It will be great to see this bird back in the air again.

[@glennpettersson9002]

I remember on start up we would have two people with a big BCF extinguisher in case of engine fire. By big I mean it was strapped to a removals trolley, the nozzle was a 1.5M tube. We would wheel it from engine to engine as they cranked them over, I don't recall it ever being used but I was only there for a couple of years before the end.

[@the-flatulator]

Ah the Trackers bring back memories as a kid living on the base. They had a unique sound about them and you could always tell when a Tracker was nearby. Dad got called out to the Tracker fire (even though he was 817 Squadron) and along with other pushed the aircraft out of the hanger in the middle of the night. Some idiot sailor had set fire to his cap and thrown it into the hanger attempting to burn them all to the ground. I was there the day they left and it was a very sad day indeed. THE GOOD OLD DAYS, I MISS 'EM.

[@Red02Pony]

Am I the only one who was watching and hoping they were messing with us on the title of this video? When the throttles were pushed forward at the end of the runway, the engines began to choke to life. A little more throttle, they started to growl as if remembering what this moment was like. The breaks came off and she started to come to life. And just when I thought the camera would rock a bit as she left the ground...s***! I was SO hoping to see her fly. Great vid though, with an excellent viewpoint. Well done.

[@bengello]

Fantastic looking forward to seeing it fly again.

[@davidlashley1205]

This POI David Lashley us naval air reserve ret my first duty in 1955 was with VS -22 NAS Norfolk VA we had the S-2 F'S and my first MED cruise it was quit and aircraft we were aboard the USS Valley Forge CVS 45 a great experience

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

I just LOVE the Tracker! Thank you very much for sharing. T.

[@adamhampshire568]

WOW...NOW THAT WAS AWSOME...

[@stjosdo]

I crewed one in VS-31 in "71-"72. Dropping box lunches on the Russian trawlers.

[@philliplopez8745]

You meet old pilots , and you meet bold pilots , but you rarely meet old bold pilots .

[@kenmoore7195]

There was no mistaking the sound of these planes.

[@robertchinnock8017]

This old gal is at hars museum at Wollongong airport now along with 851..

[@Aviation_Videos]

lucky man

[@erdalmentese5302]

güzel günlerdi :)

[@bobaustralia3]

got a question don't know of anybody can answer how many Grumman tracker aircraft did the Royal Australian Navy have? Royal Australian Navy Grumman tracker aircraft .

[@robertchinnock8017]

Is this 1 going to hars?

[@pwil3058]

What's that on the dash where the ASN-30 used to be?

[@victorthorn1591]

Peter Williams Not sure. I used to work on the ASN-30A from 1973 to 1975 at NAS Quonset Point, USS Saratoga, and NAS Cecil Field. Not sure what the Australian Navy used.

[@JohnR-su3sm]

Looks to me that they have some modern avionics where the ASN-30 used to be. If you remember, we flew those things with one UHF, one tacan, one ADF and maybe an operable HF trailing wire antenna radio. I remember sitting on the runway in VS-31 (Top Cats)at Quonset Point RI waiting for the weather to clear to 100’ 1/4 mile (ceiling and visibility) to practice GCA’s (ground controlled approaches) and landings. You haven’t lived until you have been guided through a Navy radar guided ‘no gyro’ approach! Those guys were good! Video brought back lots of memories, l love’d the sound of those engine at full power.

[@vincentcrosby5247]

@@JohnR-su3sm What year?