Grumman E-1B Tracer, 147227 / 26, Pima Air & Space Museum
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: 147227
Construction Number: 26
Code Number: ND-011
Model Grumman E-1B Tracer
Operator: Pima Air & Space Museum
Airport: Tucson - Pima Air and Space Museum, USA - Arizona
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 10/1992
Date Submitted: 11/07/2009
The E-1 Tracer was the first purpose built AEW (Airborne Early Warning) aircraft operated by the United States Navy. It was a derivative of the C-1 Trader and first entered service in 1958. Originally designated as the WF-2 the aircraft gained the nickname 'Willy Fudd'. The anti-submarine S2F (later designated the S-2) was known as the 'Stoof'. Therefore, the other nickname for the Tracer was the 'Stoof with a Roof'! the extremely large radome over the fuselage housed a Hazeltine AN/APS-82 radar. This radar featured an Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI), which by analysing the Doppler shift in reflected radar energy was able to distinguish a flying aircraft against the clutter produced by wave action on the ocean's surface. This particular Tracer served with Airborne Early Warning Squadron 307 (VAW-307), based at North Island Naval Air Station, California and was one of 88 built, the last of which was retired from Navy service in November 1977.
Picture ID:1182290