okinawa

POSSIBLY - Grumman US-2A Tracker BuNo 136613 at MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. September 21, 1971. In error – marked as ‘FUTEMA’ Grumman S2F-1 (S-2A) Tracker BuNo 136613 Upgraded to S-2F. 1959: VS-27 as MA-1x. 1962: VS-27 as UA-34. 1966: VS-32 as AT-00. 1967: Put into storage at MASDC Arizona. 5/1971: Converted to US-2A. 1971-72: MCAS Futenma Base Flight. 1978: MCAS Futenma Base Flight. Sept. 29, 1978: Put back into storage at MASDC Arizona. Five digit Process Control Number (PCN): 1S725. April 26, 1985. Sold off to California Division of Forestry, Sacramento, CA. Registered N426DF May 21, 1985, cancelled May 4, 1999. Marsh Aviation at Falcon Field Airport Mesa, Arizona, was contracted to replace the Tracker’s Wright R1820-82 radial engines with Allied Signal/Garrett TPE331-15AW turboprops. US-2A 136613 was modified as the prototype and first flew on November 24, 1986, wearing the registration N426DF and marked as tanker number 180. Was tested as a fire bomber for the California DFFP as Tanker Number 180. Marsh also modified S-2A BuNo 136746, which flew as tanker 155. The success of the project led CDF to acquire 26 S-2E/G models in 1996 and convert them to turbo props. Based on the S-2E/G variant of the Tracker, they had longer fuselages and increased wingspan compared with the S-2A. US-2A 136613 Returned to Marsh Aviation. Registration N426DF was cancelled May 4, 1999. Registered N613MA May 4, 1999. Engines and other parts removed. Airframe was stored at Marsh Aviation Company compound, Falcon Field, Mesa, Phoenix, AZ. December 2022. Marsh Aviation was going out of business. All of the equipment and parts, including fourteen Tracker airframes were auctioned off and liquidated. Of the Final Bids: 1955 S2F-1 136613 converted to a US-2A. Grumman serial number 522. Described as a Marsh S-2F1T Turbo Tracker. Registered as N613MA. Number 180. Was sold for Final bid price of $1,200. As one of fourteen Trackers on offer Marsh Aviation had them all auctioned off in December 2022. Marsh Aviation Company no longer trades and is out in business.

Fascinating, great story, wonderful photo