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Grumman AF-2S 'Guardian'
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Description
|   Manufacturer: | Grumman |
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|   Base model: | AF |
|   Designation: | AF |
|   Version: | -2S |
|   Nickname: | Guardian |
|   Designation System: | U.S. Navy / Marines |
|   Designation Period: | 1946-1962 |
|   Basic role: | Attack |
|   Modified Mission: | Anti-submarine |
|   See Also: | |
Specifications
|   Length: | 43' 5" | 13.2 m |
|   Height: | 13' 2" | 4.0 m |
|   Wingspan: | 60' | 18.2 m |
|   Wingarea: | 549.0 sq ft | 51.0 sq m |
|   Empty Weight: | 14,658 lb | 6,647 kg |
|   Gross Weight: | 20,298 lb | 9,205 kg |
|   Max Weight: | 22,565 lb | 10,233 kg |
Propulsion
|   No. of Engines: | 1 |
|   Powerplant: | Pratt & Whitney R-2800-48W |
|   Horsepower (each): | 2300 |
Performance
|   Range: | 915 miles | 1,473 km |
|   Cruise Speed: | 166 mph | 267 km/h | 144 kt |
|   Max Speed: | 275 mph | 442 km/h | 238 kt |
|   Climb: | 2,300 ft/min | 701 m/min |
|   Ceiling: | 22,900 ft | 6,979 m |
Known serial numbers
| 123088, 123090, 123092, 123094, 123096, 123098, 123100, 123102
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123104
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123106
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123108
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123110
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123112
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123114
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123116
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124188
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124190
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124192
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124194
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124196
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124198
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124200
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124202
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124204
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124206
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124208
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124210
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124778
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124780
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124782
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124784
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124786
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124788
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124790
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124792
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124794
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124796
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124798
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124800
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124802
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124804
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124806
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124808
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124810
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124812
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124814
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124816
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124818
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124820
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124822
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124824
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124826
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124828
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124830
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124832
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124834
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124836
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124838
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124840
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124842
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124844
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124846
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124848
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126720 / 126737
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126756 / 126821
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129196 / 129242
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Examples of this type may be found at
AF-2S on display
 National Museum of Naval Aviation |  Pima Air & Space Museum |   |   |   |
 
Recent comments by our visitors
Tim Johnson Downey, CA | My Dad was in VS-25 as a radar op. I have a few pictures of the crew members as well as in formation flight images. If anyone has pictures from VS-25, I would be willing to share what I have with you, if you do the same.
Does anyone know if there is an air worthy AF-2S currently flying?
Thanks 04/08/2008 @ 19:19 [ref: 20393] |
Scott Davis Al Anbar Iraq, OTH | My Dad was with the 931 that activated out of Willow grove PA. I think they became VS 20 in Korea. He was a crewman on the Avenger flying off the Sicily, Randova and the "Bing Ding" during the Korean War. I have his patch, its a turtle looking into a parascope...pretty cool.
I am currently working in Iraq as a DOD Security Contractor. My Dad (Robert L Davis) is loosing his battle with Lukemia in AZ. I was home for emergency leave a couple days ago to tell him good bye. Just though you all would like to hear about one of Yours...My Dad is a great guy, an honorable Man a the best Dad a guy could hope for, I'll miss him.
Scott Davis
Al Anbar Iraq
3 Jan 08 01/03/2008 @ 15:49 [ref: 19140] |
ron schultz northfield, IL | was an ae2 in vs-22, norfolk,va (lp2) in the early fifties. was also a crewman on the af-2s,operating the aps 31 radar and the bomb sight in either seat. I note that we went from af's to s2f's a twin engine plane. I ditched in the atlantic in '53 when the pilot blew a jug off the engine, our only one. spent an hour in the atlantic and was picked up by the submarine Tigrone. 11/12/2007 @ 11:46 [ref: 18512] |
Earl Call Austin, TX | I was an AT serving with VS-39 (then VS-913) at Quonset Point from about 1951 to 1953. We flew TBMs then transitioned to the AFs. We flew radar (APS-31 in the AF-2S, APS-20 in the AF-2W) during the day when at sea, fixed them at night, and slept when and if we could. I especially remember flying over Boston at night with the after hatch open, watching the glorious display of light below. We served on every jeep in the Atlantic fleet at least once, plus one CVL (Middie cruise to England in '52) and the CV Bon Homme Richard. The AF was a good sturdy plane, a bit more comfortable than the TBM (if sitting on a 'chute for hours can ever be comfortable), but it was a heavy mother. 10/21/2007 @ 16:20 [ref: 18265] |
Norm Silver Vacaville, CA | I did see the AF's fly while in the USMC but those were operating off the carriers upon which we had bummed a ride. I did work as a Chief Officer for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and did have a chance to work with Aero-Union AF single engine forest firefighting tankers. They were nimble, strong and worked very well in this task. Unfortunately our state and the US Forest Service decided to ban the use of single engine tankers and we started seeing many varieties of twin engine ships. The AF's did work in other areas of the west and I did have an opportunity to work with them on fires in Oregon and Nevada. This is the kind of a non-military assignement they excelled in. They were truly a nice machine. When I was in the USMC I was a Douglas AD -4 driver. It too was another dream to work with. 07/11/2007 @ 13:23 [ref: 17069] |
Norm Conolly Paw Paw,, MI | 1950-54 VS-24 NAS Norfolk,NAS Quonset Point. AT-2(CAC) as APS-31,20 operator, Squadron started out with TBM avenger switched to AT Guardian in 51 then tranfered to Quonset Point, R.I. Carrier ops. Plaugh,Siapan,Wright,Cabot,Leyte,Oriskney. survied 1 deck crash landing (killed photo op on bridge) 1 take off splash. Squadron was switching to S2-f's upon my discharge 54 ;then merged with VS-32 05/12/2007 @ 07:13 [ref: 16468] |
Harry W.ADR1 USNR(TAR)RET. Carson City, NV | I was a plane captain and mechanic on these a/c in Sept-June '56'57.My 1st aircraft.Then they went to the boneyard and I ended up worling on SNJ.s for a few months. 12/13/2006 @ 05:42 [ref: 14989] |
Phillip Filardi Austin, TX | My father served with VS-831 in Early 1950's Aboard USS Block Island? He was the flight surgeon for this squadron. His name was Lt. Hector H. Filardi USNR. I am trying to contact anyone in VS-831. I have films and photos of the unit in Caribean training during 1950's. Films of carrier ops of AF-2S, F-4Us, Avengers. Would like to talk to anyone in the unit. Also would love to get a copy of the unit patch to match the one on Dad's G-1 flight jacket. Dad passed away last July after a great life. Thanks, Phillip Filardi 09/20/2006 @ 20:49 [ref: 14245] |
Kris Chico, CA | I am currently refurbishing a prop I got off of an AF-2S (N3143G to be exact) and I want to paint it to match its original colors and design perfectly. I think I have enough pictures to match the black paint and yellow tip but I can't read the yellow writing on the blades on any of the pictures I have. The yellow writing includes information such as the prop serial number and the blade angles. Does anyone have a close up picture of the props or just have the info I need? Thanks! 07/01/2005 @ 20:54 [ref: 10645] |
WILL TACKABERRY Litchfield,, IL | I already added my comments just wanted to revise my new email address.. I was an aircrewman in VS27 1952 & 53. I was an aircrewman in the AF2S.
Mil retired in 1985. 03/30/2005 @ 23:26 [ref: 9839] |
 
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