Trackers at West Sale.

[oldsalt]

Here's a few pics of the Grumman "Tracker" S2Gs which are rotting away down at West Sale airport (Victoria) ... sad to see them like this ...
http://files.myopera.com/veedub5/albums/10209572/west%20sale%20airport%20003.JPG

http://files.myopera.com/veedub5/albums/10209572/west%20sale%20airport%20009.JPG

http://files.myopera.com/veedub5/albums/10209572/west%20sale%20airport%20016.JPG

http://files.myopera.com/veedub5/albums/10209572/west%20sale%20airport%20019.JPG

[oldsalt]

And this was them in their heyday ...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

catching the wire at night - always lots of fun !!!!
http://files.myopera.com/veedub5/albums/10209572/Catching%20a%20wire%20-%20851.jpg

[101RRS]

They have been there for many years - unfortunately no one wants to buy them.

They were going to be converted to fire bombers but the deal fell through.

Garry

[Hymie]

Hmmm, one of those would be good for the Paintball field.....

[oldsalt]

A great aircraft - not the best of course - that accolade goes to the C47 - in my opinion - yep I knew of the plan to sell 'em as fire fighters - too much cost to replace the radials with gas turbines (as they do in the states) and the owner wanted too much for 'em anyway - two of these are still in airworthy condition and get turned over on a regular basis - the young (very young) man that I spoke to at the airport had no idea of their history or capabilities and was very interested to learn a thing or two about them, lots of memories for me but it's all in the past now - ah well that's life for you.....
todays rooster tomorrows feather duster.....:(

[oldsalt]

More pics from the "good old days"

http://files.myopera.com/veedub5/albums/10209572/Tracker%20launch%20847.JPG

http://files.myopera.com/veedub5/albums/10209572/Tracker%20landing%20-%20848.JPG

[101RRS]

Unfortunately those airframes are now 50+years old and being laid up for so long they are probably only good for static display or scrap.

Garry

[oldsalt]

Maybe I'll make the owner an offer and put one in my back yard ... just for the memories. :D

[VladTepes]

In cases like that almost always the owner has unrealistically high expectation of the value of the aircraft, so rather than end up restored and loved on static display they stay out in the weather and continue to corrode. Very sad.

Ours needs help...
http://www.qam.com.au/aircraft/tracker/133160.htm

[ramblingboy42]

on a number of occasions I was at Larrakeyah Point in Darwin and you actually looked down on the Trackers as they returned from their patrols and flew up Darwin Harbour on route to RAAF Base Darwin. I was also fortunate enough to witness on a number of occasions their "initial" as they entered Darwin circuit. I'n both situations the auditory perception was far superior to the visual even though the low flying was spectacular. Just wish I had recorded the events once. I dont think there is a much more spectacular sound than trackers under power.

[powerandpassion]

Maybe I'll make the owner an offer and put one in my back yard ... just for the memories. :D

Old salt, as you know the Trackers are now most likely to be scrapped, currently on graysonline with a mandatory requirement to be 'resolved' very quickly. Some aviation heritage folk want to save what can be saved, but need your help to work out what is saveable - if you have a good technical knowledge of these aircraft, their service history, construction etc and can help I would love to talk with you. Please send a pm with contact details and I reckon we could provide you with a backyard shed with a difference !