Grumman S-2GT

[rickshaw]

In 1967, the Royal Australian Navy received the first of its 18 S-2E Tracker ASW aircraft.  In 1976, 13 of these aircraft were written off or damaged in a deliberately lit fire in their hangar at the Nowra Naval Air Base in Australia in an act of sabotage.  Those 13 aircraft were replaced with S-2G tracker aircraft purchased from the USN stocks in the United States.  In 1980, the decision was taken to replace HMAS Melbourne with a new, larger carrier.  In 1983, the decision was taken to update the S-2G to turbine engines, Pratt and Whitney PT-6 engines being chosen, to give the RAN an all turbine fleet, removing the necessity to carry two types of fuel onboard the carrier.

This is the kit I'm starting with:



This is the S-2G conversion kit, from Uncle Les over at Beyond the Sprues forum:



This is the Turbo Firetracker conversion kit to bring it up to a Turbo Tracker:

[NARSES2]

This will be interesting. The conversion parts look very nice

[PR19_Kit]

This will be interesting. The conversion parts look very nice

What Chris said. 

The S-2 is one of those aircraft that I always need reminding of, it's a neat looking machine, and surprisingly long spanned too. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Cool! 

[McColm]

I'll be watching as I too have  an S-2 in the stash.

[Captain Canada]

Very cool. The Tracker is one of my favourite aeroplanes. Love that pudgy look and powerful sound, both the piston version and the Firecat !

Who does that conversion set ?

[rickshaw]

The build is finished:

[McColm]

Great build 

[NARSES2]

Now that's really nice 

[PR19_Kit]

That looks very good Brian, most impressive. 

[Captain Canada]

Looks right at home in those colours and markings. Great job. love the look of the conversion.

[Old Wombat]

That is so-o what should have happened, brother!


VS816 - Real Tigers don't hover!

[zenrat]

Oooh I like that.  Very nice.