tracer

This would have been a superb image if an adequately scanned copy of the print had been made. It was for its time a most excellent composition and capture by a US Navy publicity photographer. Sadly, the flash of the background lighting when the original printed image was itself photographed degrades its quality significantly.

AN ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY THE CARRIER AND THE AIRCRAFT IN VIEW. www.gonavy.jp/CV-CV12f.html www.gonavy.jp/CVSG57-NV1968.html CVSG-57 (NV) USS HORNET (CVS-12) September 30, 1968 - May 13, 1969 (WestPac, Vietnam War) Modex….. Squadron…………………… Aircraft 100……… VS-35 ‘Boomerangers’…….. S-2E Tracker 200……… VS-37 ‘Sawbucks’………….. S-2E Tracker 300……… HS-2 ‘Golden Falcons’…….. SH-3A Sea King (RR)010…VAW-111 DET.12 ‘Hunters’…E-1B Tracer The aircraft carrier is CVS-12 USS Hornet. The aircraft on far left is: Grumman S-2E Tracker 152824. VS-37 ‘Sawbucks’ Code NV of CVSG-57 (Carrier Antisubmarine Air Group 57) THIS AIRCRAFT STILL EXISTS AND IS FLYING REGULARLY AS A FIRE BOMBER. As of year 2023 - a turbo prop powered fire bomber with the California DFFP. Marked as ‘CAL FIRE’ tanker ‘88’. Behind that is: Grumman E-1B Tracer 147221 of VAW-111 DET.12 ‘Hunters’ Modex 011. Dominating the scene is: Grumman E-1B Tracer 148921 - VAW-111 DET.12 ‘Hunters’ Modex 010 – apparently in process of making a rolling take off.

This would have been a nice image if an adequately scanned copy of the print had been made. It was for its time a good composition and capture by a US Navy publicity photographer. Sadly, the flash of the background lighting when the original printed image was itself photographed degrades its quality significantly.

E-1B Tracer BuNo 147211 VAW-111 ‘Hunters’. Unit shore code RR. Side number 011. From USS Hornet January 1970. www.forgottenprops.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/E-1B.html Grumman WF-2 (E-1B) Tracer BuNo 147211 …………………………………….. 1976-77: RVAW-110 as NM-011. June 25,1977: Put into storage at Military Aircraft Storage and Disposal Center (MASDC) Arizona. Assigned five digit MASDC Process Control Number (PCN): 1E057. May 29, 1978: Struck off charge. Nov. 9, 1981: Sold off as surplus to Consolidated Aero Corp which became United Aeronautical Corporation, Tucson, AZ. Last noted Aug 2002. Belatedly salvaged.