#e 1b tracer

[pukindog-v2]

F-4N Phantom II of VF-84 'Jolly Rogers' assigned to CVW-6 'AE' aboard CVA-42 USS Franklin D. Roosevelt January 3rd to July 16th, 1975. It was the final cruise for the FDR and VF-84 with the Phantom as a mount (VF-84 and sister squadron VF-41 would transition to the F-14A Tomcat after this cruise).

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6 'AE'

January 3, 1975 - July 16, 1975

Mediterranean Cruise

USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42)

Fighter Squadron 41 (VF-41) ‘Black Aces’ - F-4N Phantom II

Fighter Squadron 84 (VF-84) ‘Jolly Rogers’ - F-4N Phantom II

Attack Squadron 15 (VA-15) ‘Valions’ - A-7B Corsair II

Attack Squadron 87 (VA-87) ‘Golden Warriors’ - A-7B Corsair II

Attack Squadron 176 (VA-176) ‘Thunderbolts’ - A-6A/C, KA-6D Intruder

Light Photographic Squadron 63 (VFP-63) ‘Eyes of the Fleet’ - RF-8G Crusader

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 (VAW-121) ‘Griffins’ - E-1B Tracer

Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 2 (HC-2) ‘Fleet Angels’ - SH-3G Sea King

[skyfire85]

-A Grumman E-1B Tracer of VAW-111 "Hunters" about to be launched from USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) in 1968. | Photo: USN

FLIGHTLINE: 168 - GRUMMAN E-1 TRACER

Developed from the C-1 Trader COD airplane, the Tracer was the first purpose built airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft for the USN.

In February 1944 the US Navy ordered its first airborne early warning aircraft under Project CADILLAC. Based on research done at MIT in the early 1940s, the Cadillac radar, designated AN/APS-20, was fitted to a newly built TBM-3 Avenger. This XTBM-3W took its maiden flight on 5 August 1944 and was followed up by an emergency order for 27 additional conversion. Delivery of the TBM-3Ws began in March 1945, and the Navy anticipated four each of the aircraft deployed onto the carriers Enterprise, Hornet, and Bunker Hill in time for Operation OLYMPIC, the planned invasion of Kyushu. Ultimately, the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki cancelled Olympic, but the TBM-3Ws, nicknamed Guppy, continued to serve with the Navy into the 1950s.

-A Guppy at the Naval Air Training Center, NAS Pax River, in 1946. | Photo: USN

AEW support for the Navy passed from the Guppy to variants of the A-1 Skyraider, Lockheed WV-2 and various blimps, but by the mid-1950s a new aircraft was desired. Grumman Aircraft offered a plane based on their C-1 Trader, itself based on the S-2 Tracker.

-Orthograph of the E-1 Tracer. | Illustration: Dr. Dan Saranga

One C-1, BuNo 136792, was pulled from the production line and modified with a new tail and mockup radome, but no electronics. The XTF-1W (later changed to XWF-1) took its first flight on 17 December 1956. After serving to validate the aerodynamic properties of the new aircraft's radome, -6792 was rebuilt as a standard C-1 (though it retained the modified tail) and served as a utility aircraft until 1983. The plane is now on display at the Quonset Air Museum in Rhode Island.

-792 after conversion to C-1A Trader. | Photo: USN

The production aircraft, designated WF-2, was 45ft long, and had a wingspan of 72ft. The wings were fitted with Grumman's Sto-Wing folding system, modified to fold the wing horizontally along the fuselage. The aircraft were powered by Wright R-1820-82A Cyclone piston engines, each developing 1,525hp at takeoff. The WF-2 had a cruise speed of 163mph and a max speed of 238mph, with range of 1,035mi and almost 7 hours endurance. Tracers were not aerial refuellable. The large radome, extending from the end of the cockpit to almost the rudder, contained a Hazeltine AN/APS-82 radar antenna, which incorporated an early Airborne Moving Target Indicator, which would differentiate an aircraft from surface clutter. Unlike the later E-2 Hawkeye, the Tracker's radome did not rotate, though the antenna did rotate within it. The standard crew of four was evenly split between the flight crew and radar/intercept controllers.

-An E-1B of VAW-121 "Griffins", operating from the USS FDR (CVA-42) in 1971. | Photo: USN

The WF-2 was accepted for Naval service in 1958, and was soon flying from carriers in both the Atlantic and Pacific. A total of 88 Trackers were produced. Although officially called 'Tracer', crews took to calling the aircraft 'Willy Fudd' (from its WF designation) or 'Stoof With A Roof' (the WF-2 was based on the S2F Tracker, hence 'Stoof', with the radome providing the 'Roof'). Under the 1962 tri-service designation reorganization, the WF-2 became the E-1B. Depending on the operating altitude, the APS-82 radar had a search range of 250-300 miles, and was capable of handling up to four simultaneous intercepts.

-An E-1B from VAW-11 "Early Eleven" unfolds its wings prior to being catapulted from the carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19) in 1962. | Photo: USN

WF-2s from VAW-12 "Bats" were deployed on USS-Essex, USS Randolph, USS Independence and the USS Enterprise during the 1961 Cuban Missile Crisis. The Willy Fudd saw extensive use early in the Vietnam War, providing vectors to MIG-CAP (MiG-combat air patrol) fighters, as well as controlling strikes over North Vietnam. Tracers also assisted during Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, as well as vectoring aircraft to tankers.

-An E-1B from VAW-11 "Early Eleven" in flight. | Photo: USN

Upgrades over the aircraft's lifespan increased their capacity and kept them current, but also added weight. Almost as soon as the E-1B entered service, the Navy began seeking a replacement, and Grumman was selected in 1957 to develop and build the new plane, initially designated the W2F-1, but was eventually christened the E-2 Hawkeye. Replacement of the Fudds began in 1966, but the war in Vietnam and the slow production of Hawkeyes saw the type remain in service until the early 70's. Up through 1973 E-1s were retired to Naval Reserve squadrons, and by 1977 the type was completely withdrawn from USN service. Five Tracers have been preserved in museums around the US:

E-1B, BuNo 147212: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, New York City

E-1B, BuNo 147217: New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, Connecticut

E-1B, BuNo 147225: On board the USS Yorktown (CV-10), Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

E-1B, BuNo 147227: Pima Air & Space Museum, adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona

E-1B, BuNo 148146: National Naval Aviation Museum, Naval Air Station Pensacola

Another 11 E-1s are in storage at United Aeronautical's surplus yard just outside Tucson, though their status is unknown

[airmanisr]

Grumman E-1B Tracer ‘147212 / AU-773’ by Alan Wilson Via Flickr: c/n 11. US Navy Bureau No 147212. On display in VAW-121 / DET11 markings on the deck of USS Intrepid, part of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, New York Harbor, NY. 6th March 2016.

[usafphantom2]

G. Verver Following

VAW-111 E-1B Tracers

VAW-111 Grey Berets E-1B Tracers BuNo's 148914, 147209, RR-727, 147224, RR-726, and 147221, RR-720, inflight, circa 1967. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Via my friend Flickr

[planesawesome]

USN Grumman E-1B Tracer (VAW-12) with A-6A Intruders of VA-75 embarked on USS Independence (CVA 62) - 1966

[aviationgreats]

Grumman E-1B Tracer

[ttyman]

E-2C Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning aircraft… replaced the E-1B Tracer.

[vd86sz87]

Grumman E-1B Tracer. (at New England Air Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmZhJeqAc8ZHEuxl9-zKORACf4y9f6CV0XKkoM0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jaap3zha8r5s

[pukindog-v2]

McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II of VF-14 'Tophatters' assigned to CVW-1 'AB' aboard CVA-42 USS Franklin D. Roosevelt after their June 1966 - February 1967 war cruise off Vietnam.

June 21, 1966 - February 21, 1967 (Vietnam War) CVA-42 USS Franklin D. Roosevelt

Fighter Squadron 14 (VF-14) ‘Tophatters’ - F-4B Phantom II

Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32) ‘Swordsmen’ - F-4B Phantom II

Attack Squadron 172 (VA-172) ‘Blue Bolts’ - A-4C Skyhawk

Attack Squadron 12 (VA-12) ‘Flying Ubangis’ - A-4E Skyhawk

Attack Squadron 72 (VA-72) ‘Blue Hawks’ - A-4E Skyhawk

Heavy Attack Squadron 10 (VAH-10) ‘Vikings’ - KA-3B Skywarrior

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 12 (VAW-12) ‘Bats’ - E-1B Tracer

Light Photographic Squadron 62 (VFP-62) ‘Fighting Photos’ - RF-8G Crusader

Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 2 (HC-2) ‘Fleet Angels’ - UH-2A/B Seasprite

[usafphantom2]

manhhai Following

Grumman E-1B Tracer, VAW-11 Det. E "Early Eleven."

Series of photos taken aboard USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) in November 1962. Carrier Air Group (CVG) 19.

[usafphantom2]

Jim Leslie

E-1B Tracer 147214 of VAW-78 AF-010

This E-1B from the Flying Escargots of VAW-78 was photographed at its home base, NAS Norfolk, in January 1977.

VAW-78 received its first E-2B in late 1977 and E-2C in 1983. The squadron is a member of Carrier Air Wing Reserve 20 (CVWR-20).

For some reason I always liked the E-1. It's a funny looking, quirky plane and certainly no speed demon but I liked it just the same.

[usafphantom2]

DesertBlooms

A U.S. Navy Grumman E-1B Tracer AEW plane of airborne early warning squadron VAW-12 Det.42 Bats just before landing on the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), in 1962/63.

This is NOT my own photo. PUBLIC DOMAIN PHOTO.

A U.S. Navy Grumman E-1B Tracer AEW plane of airborne early warning squadron VAW-12 Det.42 Bats just before landing on the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), in 1962/63. VAW-12 Det.42 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 1 (CVW-1) aboard the FDR for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 14 September 1962 to 22 April 1963. A McDonnell F-3B Demon of fighter squadron VF-14 Top Hatters is visible in the foreground.

This is NOT my own photo. PUBLIC DOMAIN PHOTO.

[usafphantom2]

USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65) - Grumman E-1B 'Tracers', Grumman C-1A 'Traders', Douglas A-4C 'Skyhawks' and Douglas A-1H 'Skyraiders'

un-edited-View of the flight deck of the USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65) flight deck during the “Operation Sea Orbit” in August 1964. Visible are various aircraft of Carrier Air Wing Six (CVW-6) (from left to right) two Grumman E-1B 'Tracers' of airborne early warning squadron VAW-12 Det. 65 'Bats', two Grumman C-1A 'Traders' of fleet replenishment squadron VRC-40 Det. 65 'Rawhides', 14 Douglas A-4C 'Skyhawks', five of attack squadron VA-66 'Waldos', four of VA-64 'Black Lancers', and five of VA-76 'Spirits', and eight Douglas A-1H 'Skyraiders' of VA-65 'Tigers'. The nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) is visible in the background

[airmanisr]

USS Hancock (CVA-19) by G. Verver Via Flickr: USS Hancock (CVA-19) in the Pacific, 1958. Aircraft on deck are CVW-21 (NP) VF-211 Checkmates F-8H Crusaders, VF-24 Fighting Renegades F-8H Crusaders, VA-163 Saints A-4E Skyhawks, VA-164 Ghost Riders A-4E Skyhawks, VA-55 Warhorses A-4F Skyhawks and VAW-111 Grey Berets Det. 19 E-1B Tracers. Official U.S. Navy photo.

[usafphantom2]

148141 Grumman E-1B Tracer USN VAW-121 Squadron AU/726 USS Randolph.

[airmanisr]

USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) by G. Verver Via Flickr: USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) at sea late 1962. Aircraft on deck are CVW-11 (NH) VF-111 Sundowners F-8D Crusaders, VA-112 Broncos A4C Skyhawks, VA-113 Stingers A-4C Skyhawks, VF-114 Aardvarks F-4A Phantom IIs, VA-115 Arabs A-1H Skyraiders, VAH-13 Bats A-3B Skywarriors (GP), VFP-63 Det.C RF-8A Crusaders and VAW-11 Early Eleven Det.C E-1B Tracers (RR.) Official U.S. Navy photo.