Grumman AF-2S Guardian, N9993Z / 242, Arizona Commemorative Air Museum
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: N9993Z
Construction Number: 242
Code Number: 126731
Model Grumman AF-2S Guardian
Operator: Arizona Commemorative Air Museum
Airport: Mesa - Falcon Field (FFZ / KFFZ), USA - Arizona
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 05/1993
Date Submitted: 17/03/2009
The Grumman AF-2 Guardian was the largest single engine aircraft ever flown by the U.S. Navy. Designed as a replacement for the TBM/TBF Avenger, the AF-2 came in two versions, one for hunting submarines (the AF-2W) and the other for killing them (the AF-2S). Both aircraft were powered by a single, massive, Pratt & Whitney R-2800. 193 AF-2S Guardians were built and, for their time, were quite effective, but the aircraft's massive 60ft wingspan made operations from smaller carriers difficult and the idea of using two aircraft to perform one mission was costly. They were phased out of service in June 1957, their last operator being the Oakland Naval Air Reserve in California, they were replaced by the much more effective Grumman S-2. After retirement all were disposed of for scrap but five (three AF-ZWs and two AF-2S) were saved by Aero Union of Chico, California, who wanted to convert the type for use as a fire bomber. Two were successfully converted, while the other three remained at Chico used for spare parts. Their use in the fire bomber role ended with the ban on single-engine aircraft for firefighting. N9993Z was donated to the Confederate Air Force in 1988. She is now with the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force who have restored her since this photograph was taken. Looking distinctly weathered from the Arizona sun she survives as a rare Cold War curiosity.
Picture ID:1163855